Land-use legislation could convert more farmland for solar, renewable energy projects
Proposed state legislation to modify California’s longstanding farmland conservation law could pave the way for large swaths of farm acreage to be repurposed as sites for renewable energy projects, including solar power. Assembly Bill 2528, introduced by Assembly Member Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno, would allow owners of Williamson Act land that lacks sufficient water for farming to cancel their contracts—without paying mandated cancellation fees of 12.5% of land values. Farm advocates warn the proposed law could accelerate the loss of farmland and reduce food supply.
Klamath irrigators express frustration over water allocation for farms
Despite favorable conditions in the Klamath Basin, irrigators say the initial federal water allocation falls short of what farmers in the Klamath Water Project should receive this year. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the project, announced this week that Klamath Basin irrigators will receive an initial allocation of 230,000 acre-feet from the lake. That is 35% less than estimated needs, said Paul Simmons, executive director and counsel for the Klamath Water Users Association. He said the allocation is the fifth worst in the 120-year history of the Klamath Project.
State budget crisis could impact services in rural agricultural counties
California counties, key to delivering services for public safety, emergency response and protecting human health, are bracing for state revenue cuts as California faces a historic budget deficit. The fiscal crisis creates concerns in rural agricultural counties, as local governments look for ways to fund core needs such as fire services. Merced County is already struggling to fund public safety services, including fire, sheriff’s department and ambulance services. Merced County Assistant Fire Chief Mark Pimentel said the county is operating below state minimum staffing requirements.
As funds run out, state details compensation to ranchers for wolf impacts
With $3 million in grant funding exhausted, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is no longer accepting applications for the wolf-livestock compensation program, the agency announced last week. A total of 109 grants were awarded to 36 ranchers with livestock operations in four of the nine counties with known wolf activity: Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas and Tulare. Established in 2021, the pilot program compensated livestock producers for verified loss of livestock. Direct livestock losses accounted for $135,044. More than $1.9 million went for wolf deterrent tools.
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