LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN

September 19, 2022

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CDFW Releases New Wolf Depredation Report
On September 12, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) released a gray wolf depredation report, following the September 5 non-depredation investigation. Based on their observations, CDFW confirmed the September 3 event as a depredation in Eastern Siskiyou County.

A member of the public discovered a wolf feeding on a cattle carcass and the producer was notified by CDFW. This case was later investigated, leading CDFW to confirm that the incident was a wolf depredation. The time of death was determined to be the night prior.

According to the report, visible wounds on the cattle carcass were consistent with a wolf attack. Large tooth rakes on the carcass and muscle hemorrhage on all four legs and both flanks were noted. The wound locations and sizes were consistent with an attack by wolves. There were also visible wolf tracks present, and signals from the radio collar attached to OR-85 (the breeding male of the Whaleback Pack) placed that wolf within about two miles of the carcass that morning.

To report evidence of wolf presence, including sightings or wolf signs, please fill out the survey on the CDFW Gray Wolf web page here.

SWRCB Updates Curtailments on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Shasta River Watersheds
As of last Wednesday, the State Water Resource Control Board has announced additional curtailments in the Shasta River watershed with a priority date of March 1, 1850.

In the Sacramento River watershed, appropriative water rights with a priority date of 1950 or later remain curtailed. Additionally, appropriative water rights for the Putah Creek subwatershed remain further curtailed to a priority date of 1924 or later.

As reported in previous Legislative Bulletin updates, all appropriative water rights within the San Joaquin River watershed have been curtailed. In addition to these watershed-wide curtailments, riparian water rights within the Chowchilla River subwatershed have been curtailed.

These curtailments are expected to continue through summer and the beginning of fall, depending on precipitation.

For questions about curtailment and suspension notices or how to comply, please contact the Rancher Technical Assistance Program at (916) 409-6902 or rtap@wrstrat.com.

Governor Proclaims Wildfire Emergencies for Fairview and Mosquito Fires 
Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Riverside County due to the Fairview Fire and in Placer and El Dorado counties due to the Mosquito Fire. In a prior announcement the Governor announced that the state has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for fire suppression related to the Fairview Fire, which “will enable local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for 75-percent reimbursement” for fire suppression costs.

In a press release announcing the proclamation, Newsom’s office noted that “Both fires are threatening multiple communities and critical infrastructure, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.” This latest emergency proclamation came just one week after Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Siskiyou County in response to the Mill Fire, for which the state has also secured an FMAG.

CCA will continue to keep membership informed about state and federal responses to wildfires within the state. Additional information about these and other wildfire incidents can be found via Cal Fire and InciWeb.

2022 CCA Scholarship Applications Due Oct. 1 
Applications for the 2022 CCA Scholarships are being accepted now through October 1, 2022. CCA awarded $63,000 in scholarships to students studying agriculture, although scholarship amounts and quantities vary year to year. Current CCA members (producer, feeder or YCC) that are currently enrolled at a university or college are eligible to apply. Past recipients of her CCA scholarship program may also apply again this year. For a complete list of awards and to download the application visit calcattlemen.org/scholarships. Contact Maureen in the CCA office at maureen@calcattlemen.org with any questions.

2022 CCA Internship Applications Due Oct. 10  
Internship applications are open for the 2022 CCA/CCW Convention happening Nov. 30 – Dec. 1 at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nev. Selected interns will help run CCA’s tradeshow booth, onsite registration and other behind the scenes tasks at the event, they will also get to attend select meetings of interest, general sessions and the tradeshow with complimentary lodging and registration. Additionally, the interns will get to interact with CCA leadership and staff, as well as industry leaders at the best attended meeting of the year. To apply please send a resume and cover letter to Maureen LaGrande at maureen@calcattlemen.org by Monday, October 10, 2022, at 11:59pm PST. Applicant must be a young, regular or feeder member of the California Cattlemen’s Association and must be a current undergraduate, master, school of law or veterinary student attending or enrolled in a junior college, four-year college, university or law school (high school students are not eligible). Learn more about the event at calcattlemen.org/convention2022.

Upcoming CCA Events

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CCA in the News

Reflections on a tragedy – two years later Enterprise Record “There are more prescribed fire associations being organized; the California Cattlemen’s Association led a legislative effort to create an “Ag Pass for Livestock,” loosely based off my experience trying to gain access to my range to protect livestock during the Bear Fire, that has been signed into law by Governor Newsom; legislation was passed and signed limiting liability for prescribed fire practitioners; and there is increasing recognition (and data) that grazing to reduce fuel loads can lower fire intensity. Good. But it is not nearly enough.” To continue reading, click here.

Industry News

NCBA Calls for Limited SEC Greenhouse Gas Rule Following Senate Hearing NCBA “the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) reiterated the need for a limited version of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) greenhouse gas disclosure rule following SEC Chairman Gary Gensler’s testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking.” To continue reading, click here.

Big Bear Calif. Forest Management Plan Sparks Controversy government technology “Officials don’t yet know what sparked the Radford fire on Sept. 5. But while the blaze triggered hundreds of evacuations and consumed more than 1,000 acres of San Bernardino National Forest south of town, a combination of aggressive firefighting, shifting winds and a monsoonal storm meant none of the mountain community’s 20,000 residents lost their homes.” To continue reading, click here.

Grazing agreements reached in AZ, CA Western Livestock Journal “In California, the California Coastal Commission gave the go-ahead to regulate ranchers at the Point Reyes National Seashore.” To continue reading, click here.