In advance of next week’s meeting before the San Joaquin County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) released the following video, which will be presented to LAFCO.
The video provides a brief overview of BBID and West Side Irrigation District (WSID). BBID and WSID will present a report before the Commission, another step in the planned consolidation of the districts.
Byron, CA (April 17, 2019) – Today, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) announced a slight increase in the allocation for South-of-Delta Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors, to 65%. This comes at a time the state’s snowpack is so dense it’s been referred to as a “water supply dream,” and every reservoir used to supply South-of-Delta operations is above 100% of normal.
“Despite an overly abundant water supply,” said BBID GM Rick Gilmore, “this incremental increase is essentially a drop in the bucket. If we can’t even get close to a full, 100% supply this year – then when, if ever?”
“The snowpack surpassed 160% of normal in the northern and central Sierra Nevada,” Gilmore continued. “Meanwhile, reservoirs are in flood control operations. And yet, our growers and ranchers are still being forced to make do with less than their fair share.”
At the outset of the 2019 growing season, the uncertainty created by continually delayed allocation announcements makes it extremely difficult for farmers to plan their operations.
“Reclamation staff understands the challenges and difficulties these decisions create,” Gilmore said. “However, they are boxed in by the biological opinions in the overly-protective Endangered Species Act, which imposes significant restrictions on available water at a time there is more than enough to go around. To add insult to injury, the restrictions that have crippled CVP operations for so long have provided none of the intended benefits to fish species, which continue to decline despite the severe impacts the biological opinions are having on people. We also are concerned that SB1, newly-proposed legislation, may make this problem worse, not better.”
“Never has the problem – and solution – been clearer,” Gilmore said. “It is beyond argument that these runaway regulations must be reigned in. Until then, the CVP can’t fulfill its primary purpose: supplying water to those who supply much of the nation’s food.”
Today, the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) called for state lawmakers to take action to amend SB1, proposed legislation the District believes is “over-broad, duplicative and unworkable.” Read the full letter below.
BBID SB 1 – Oppose Unless Amended (4.16.19)On Wednesday, Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) expressed its support for an amended version of SB 454, part of the District’s ongoing efforts to ensure fairness for California’s water rights holders. Read the full letter below.
BBID SB 454 Support Letter (4.17.19)2WATCH: Taking advantage of recent rains, Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) crews took action to “smoke out” leaks in the Byron Sanitary District sewer collection system. Watch the full video below!
The Byron-Bethany Irrigation District issued the following letter, urging support for backfill funding for Paradise Irrigation District (PID). The one-time appropriation is necessary to keep PID operating while Paradise recovers and rebuilds from the November 2018 Camp Fire.
Byron, CA (February 20, 2019) – BBID General Manager Rick Gilmore issued the following statement, after the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) on Wednesday issued an initial 35% allocation for South-of-Delta Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors, including BBID:
“Reclamation’s initial allocation tells an all-too-familiar story. Despite above-average water supplies, CVP water deliveries are being restricted by outdated science and failed regulations, forcing growers to make do with less water.
This month, California has seen 18 trillion gallons of precipitation – enough to fill Lake Shasta 12 times. Our snowpack is well above normal. Runoff into many of the state’s main reservoirs this year is projected to be as much as 1.1 million-acre-feet higherthan at this time in 2012. Mother Nature is doing her part.
These overly conservative, low initial allocations unfairly burden the District’s growers and ranchers. They struggle to make informed planning decisions in the face of an uncertain water supply. BBID continues to work for constructive, collaborative reviews of existing regulations, and to ensure that the latest science is put to use for water allocations that impact BBID and the entire state.”
–Rick Gilmore, GM
Today, the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) joined other local water agencies, calling on newly-elected U.S. Representative Josh Harder (D-Turlock) to pursue a seat on the House Committee on Natural Resources.
The full letter is below.
Byron, CA (December 18, 2018) – At its regular board meeting Tuesday, the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) announced the District has issued $5 million in revenue bonds. The bonds will be used to fund significant capital improvement projects, securing the ongoing reliability of BBID’s water deliveries for years to come.
The District’s financial consultants delivered a presentation to the Board, describing the financial details laid out in the report below.
2018-10-31 Byron Bethany JT Powers Series 2018 Enterprise Rev Bonds Overview ReportFRESNO, CA – Today the United States Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources announced a series of agreements to resolve water conflicts that have vexed the State for decades and to reaffirm the collaborative partnership between the Federal and State governments to develop long-term solutions to California’s major water problems.
The Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) joined other water agencies in supporting the historic agreement.
Read the full release below.
VA Joint Contractor Press Release_FINAL