CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

July 29, 2024

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Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency Due to Park Fire and Gold Complex Fire
Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday proclaimed a state of emergency in Plumas County due to the Gold Complex Fire and in Butte and Tehama counties because of the Park Fire. It is the second wildfire-related state of emergency proclaimed in the state this fire season, following an emergency proclamation issued earlier this month for the Thompson Fire in Butte County, which scorched 3,789 acres between July 2 and July 8.

The day before proclaiming a state of emergency, the Governor’s Office announced that it had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency which will allow state and local agencies to seek reimbursement for up to 75% of the costs they incur responding to the Park Fire. On Saturday, the Governor’s Office also announced the receipt of another Fire Management Assistance Grant to support state and local government response to the Borel Fire in Kern County.

As of press time, the Park Fire has burned 368,256 acres in Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties, making it the sixth-largest wildfire in state history. The blaze is currently only 12% contained.

For information regarding wildfire assistance, visit the Ranchers Technical Assistance Program website.

State Water Board Issues Scott River Curtailments
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) announced on Wednesday that it has imposed water rights curtailments for surface water diversions and groundwater diversions in the Scott River watershed. The curtailments come after flows of the Scott River (as measured at the Fort Jones gage) fell below the minimum July flow of 50 cubic feet per second established in emergency regulation (though the river’s flow first dipped below that rate on July 21, the SWRCB initially declined to impose curtailments because of challenges related to the Shelly Fire).

While the order does not specify the priority dates of water rights to which it applies, it does state that it “Curtails all surface water diversions in the Scott River watershed.” Water rightsholders receiving copies of the order will find a list of their water rights curtailed by the order in Attachment A, which will appear at the end of the order.

Both orders require water rightsholder to file a Curtailment Certification form online confirming their receipt and compliance with the curtailment orders. For those subject to surface water rights curtailments, certification must be filed by August 8; compliance with groundwater curtailments must be certified by August 9. For rightsholders currently under evacuation orders or warning due to wildfires, compliance certification is delayed “until fifteen (15) days after the lifting of any evacuation order or warning affecting the place of use of water for the rights.”

Firefighting efforts are exempted from the curtailment orders. Also exempt is diversion for “minimum livestock watering,” defined as an average of 15 gallons per day per head for range cattle and horses (ranchers must file a self-certification or petition prior to diverting under this exemption).

Violations of the orders carry penalties up to $1,000 per day of violation.

For additional information, see the Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds Emergency Regulation webpage.

2024 CCA Scholarship Applications Now Open 
The application period for the 2024 CCA Scholarships are being accepted now through October 1, 2024. CCA awarded over $49,000 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.

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Industry News

Mountain lion policy changes make forward motion in El Dorado County CBS13 “Mountain lion sightings and attacks on livestock continue to be at the top of the mind in the Northern California Sierra Foothills, leaving community members still pleading for something to be done.” To continue reading, click here.

PLC and NCBA Praise Passage of House Interior Appropriations Bill The Public Lands Council “‘This Interior appropriations bill protects the rights of public lands grazing permittees, reels in overreaching BLM regulations, addresses Endangered Species Act challenges, defends local communities against Presidential land grabs under the Antiquities Act, and recognizes the important role of ranchers—America’s original conservationists—in the stewardship of our nation’s public lands,’ said Public Lands Council President and grazing permittee Mark Roeber. ‘The Public Lands Council is very thankful for the work of key partners on the House appropriations Committee, House Natural Resources Committee, and Western Caucus for crafting this legislation that supports our western ranchers.’” To continue reading, click here.

Department of Defense Backs Off Feeding Lab-Grown Protein National Cattlemen’s Beef Association “Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) confirmed that efforts to prevent ultra-processed, lab-grown protein from showing up in the diet of the American armed forces were successful, following news that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is not pursuing lab-grown protein projects for human consumption.” To continue reading, click here.

Crews battle wildfires across the US West and fight to hold containment lines KRQE News “Wildfires across the western United States and Canada put millions of people under air quality alerts on Sunday as thousands of firefighters battled the flames, including the largest wildfire in California this year.” To continue reading, click here.