LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN
November 7, 2022
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SWRCB Updates Curtailments in Multiple Watersheds
On Saturday, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) posted a curtailment update for the Russian River watershed due to anticipated precipitation. Curtailments have been lifted watershed-wide for all appropriative and riparian claims within the Russian River watershed. Please continue to monitor the Curtailment Status List for relevant updates.
The SWRCB has also suspended watershed-wide curtailments within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watersheds, though some subwatershed curtailments remain. Within the Sacramento River watershed, water rights are curtailed on the Cache Creek subwatershed with a priority date of 1856 or later, on the Stony Creek Subwatershed with a priority date of 1930 or later, on the Bear Creek subwatershed with a priority date of 1942 or later, on the Yuba River subwatershed with a priority date of 1961 or later and on the Putah Creek subwatershed with a priority date of between 1945 or later.
Within the San Joaquin River watershed, curtailments have been imposed on the Fresno River subwatershed for water rights with a priority date of 1914 or later and on the Chowchilla River subwatershed for water rights with a priority date of 1959 or later.
On Friday the SWRCB, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced they will be holding a webinar on November 15 to address funding for farmers and ranchers impacted by drought conditions in the Scott and Shasta River Watersheds. Click here more information.
For questions about curtailment and suspension notices or assistance completing the Compliance Certification forms, please contact the Rancher Technical Assistance Program at (916) 409-6902 or rtap@wrstrat.com.
CDFW Confirms Wolf Depredation in Siskiyou County
On Tuesday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) released a gray wolf depredation report describing observations of a yearling heifer cattle carcass found in Eastern Siskiyou County on October 18. The yearling’s time of death was early morning and the carcass was in sufficient condition to thoroughly investigate. There were visible tooth rake wounds on all four legs and the right flank. The wound locations and sizes were consistent with injuries to cattle attacked by wolves and wolf tracks were present, confirming this event as a wolf depredation. Though the report does not specify any particular wolves, the location in Siskiyou County suggests that the Whaleback Pack is responsible for the depredation.
Previously, on October 12, a cattle producer in Siskiyou County found a 100lb injured calf. According to CDFW, there was no evidence of wolves and injuries were consistent with a coyote attack, and the event was labeled a “Non-Wolf Depredation.”
Please fill out the survey on the CDFW Gray Wolf web page here to report evidence of wolf presence, including sightings or wolf signs.
New episode of Stories from California Cattle Country
Stories from California Cattle Country, ” R.A. Atmore & Sons Ranch in Ventura” is out now. To listen to the episode, click here. Stories from California Cattle Country is produced by The California Cattlemen’s Foundation with support from the California Cattle Council. If you want a glimpse into our travels, follow the podcast’s Instagram account @calcattlecountry.
TOMORROW: Central Coast Veterans on NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen
Last month, Central Coast Honor Flight took a group of veterans to Washington, D.C. for their Tour of Honor. NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen has a special “Salute to Veterans” episode airing tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov. 8) on RFD-TV at 5:30 PM PST. The episode will highlight the trip and the guests of honor on it, and be posted to YouTube. To learn more about Honor Flight and giving back to our veterans check out this feature in the November California Cattleman magazine.
Department of Insurance Requires Rate Discounts for Wildfire Risk Reduction
The California Department of Insurance has finalized regulations which require insurance providers to offer lower rates to property owners who take action to mitigate the risks of wildfire damaging their property. The regulation also requires insurers to provide policyholders with their “wildfire risk score or other wildfire risk classification” and to give policyholders an opportunity to appeal their classification. For more information, see the October 24 edition of Legislative Bulletin.
National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) Beef Industry Scholarship Applications Now Available for Undergraduate Students
Applications for the 2023-2024 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship are due Friday. Sponsored by the CME Group the scholarship recognizes students who play a crucial role in the future of food production. To be eligible applications must be a graduating high school senior or full-time undergraduate student enrolled at a two or four-year institution. The deadline to apply is Nov. 11, 2022 at midnight Central Time. For further information on the scholarship and to apply click here.
Upcoming CCA Events
106th Annual CCA & CCW Convention
Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks, Nev.
Make plans to attend the 2022 CCA/CCW Convention at the Nugget Casino. Register now before prices increase on Nov. 18! Register, reserve your room in CCA’s room block, see who is speaking and more at https://calcattlemen.org/convention2022. Click the links below for more resources related to the event.
Register | Book Your Room in CCA’s Block | Confirmed Speakers |
Sponsorship Opportunities
Upcoming Industry Events
California Natural Resources Agency Virtual Expo Series
October 25 – November 17, Virtual
The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting a virtual expo to build on the 30×30 Partnership Kick-Off Event. Hear from partners across state agencies, learn about program funding and other outlets to reach California’s 30×30 goal. Q&A sessions will be available at the end of each Virtual Expo. For more information regarding the event, click here.
Tuesday November 8, 3-3:30pm – California Biodiversity Network and California’s 5th Climate Assessment Team (register here).
Thursday November 10, 10:30-11am – California Department of Fish and Wildlife (register here).
Tuesday November 15, 3-3:30pm – Ocean Protection Council and State Costal Conservancy (register here).
Thursday November 17, 10:30-11am – Baldwin Hills Conservancy and California Conservation Corps (register here).
CCA in the News
Leading the way toward eradicating cattle illness Morning Ag Clips “The California Cattlemen’s Association’s Livestock Memorial Research Fund has accomplished much in its 40 years of service to the ranching community. But perhaps its most significant accomplishment was helping fund the creation of a vaccine against a tick-borne disease that had wreaked havoc on the state’s cattle industry for decades.” To continue reading, click here.
Industry News
NFGA, Ag Groups Urge Congress to Prevent Rail Shutdown GRAINNET “The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and 192 other members of the Agricultural Transportation Working Group urged Congress to prepare to prevent a rail strike or lockout, which would “lead to shutdowns of rail-dependent facilities resulting in devastating consequences to our national and global food security.” To continue reading, click here.
USDA Announces Funds to Expand Processing Capacity Following NCBA Advocacy NCBA “The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) following Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement of over $223 million in grants and loans to support small to mid-sized processing facilities.” To continue reading, click here.
Nearly a third of southern Sierra forests killed by drought and wildfire in last decade Los Angeles Times “As climate change continues to transform California’s landscape in staggering and often irreversible ways, researchers have zeroed in on yet another casualty of the shift: the forests of the southern Sierra Nevada.” To continue reading, click here.
NRCS California’s conservation funding assistance deadline is fast approaching Morning Ag Clips “The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California announced Fiscal Year 2023 (October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023) Farm Bill assistance opportunities for agricultural producers, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). While NRCS accepts applications for these programs year-round, interested applicants should apply no later than December 9, 2022, for the first application cutoff period.” To continue reading, click here.
In this episode we sort through the Midterm Election. To keep us up to speed ahead of Nov. 8 on what the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is watching in the election, expectations on how this election might offer relief and new allies, and what the results could mean for the outcome of the 2023 Farm Bill, NCBA’s Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane joins Katie on this new episode. Click here to listen.
