LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN
March 20, 2023
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Winter Storm State of Emergency Now Extends to 43 Counties
On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to exist in Alpine, Orange and Trinity counties resulting from the series of severe winter storms which have hit the state in recent weeks. Newsom’s proclamation comes on the heels of three others issued this month (and previously reported in last week’s Legislative Bulletin), bringing the total number of California counties currently under a state of emergency to 43.
The proclamations activate the California National Guard and tap “All agencies of the state government” to assist in disaster response and relief efforts in the counties designated as suffering a state of emergency.
President Joe Biden approved a federal Emergency Disaster Declaration on March 10 for 34 counties which had been particularly hard hit by winter storms at that time; Newsom’s latest emergency proclamation notes that the Governor will additionally “act swiftly to request a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration” once “certain Federal validated damage thresholds” needed to secure such a declaration have been met.
CCA will continue to keep members apprised of state and federal responses to the severe winter storms and of any state and federal assistance available to cattle ranchers impacted by the emergency conditions.
USDA APHIS Extends Comment Deadline for Animal Disease Traceability Rule
This morning, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a 30-day extension for public comments on the agency’s Proposed Rule regarding the “Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison.” Comments will now be accepted through April 19. The Proposed Rule would require that eartags “be both visually and electronically readable in order to be recognized for use as official eartags for interstate movement of cattle and bison” and would apply to all sexually intact cattle 18 months of age or older, all dairy cattle (as defined) and all cattle used in rodeo or other recreational events. For more information, see the January 23 edition of Legislative Bulletin or listen to Season 3 Episode 3 of the Sorting Pen podcast featuring Dr. Tom Talbot.
Biden WOTUS Rule Takes Effect Today
The Biden Administration’s revised “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) Rule takes effect today in California and 47 other states after a Texas judge yesterday declined to issue a nationwide injunction against the Rule’s implementation. In an order issued last night, Judge Brown of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas granted a motion from the states of Texas and Idaho staying the Rule within those states’ borders, but declined a motion from 18 national trade associations – including CCA partner the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) – seeking a nationwide stay of the Rule.
According to NCBA, the impact of the ruling is that in California and other states, “ephemeral features and isolated features may be subject to federal jurisdiction, and activities like stock pond construction and grassed waterway maintenance may require Clean Water Act permits.” Accordingly, CCA cautions members against conducting activities that alter water flow without first consulting with technical assistance providers.
Yesterday’s ruling was limited to the issue of whether a preliminary injunction should be issued; litigation is moving forward in the Southern District of Texas to consider whether the Biden Administration’s WOTUS Rule should be overturned based on the legal merits of the lawsuit. There is also ongoing litigation against the 2023 WOTUS Rule in courts in North Dakota and Kentucky. Finally, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a final ruling in Sackett v. EPA in the coming months, which could nullify portions of the Biden Administration’s WOTUS Rule depending on the justices’ interpretation of the federal Clean Water Act.
CCA will continue to keep you informed of developments regarding the 2023 WOTUS Rule.
Governor Newsom Authorizes Diversion of Flood Flows for Groundwater Recharge
Governor Gavin Newsom earlier this month issued an executive order suspending certain water rights and wildlife protection statutes to allow for the “diversions of flood flows” to reduce flood risk and accelerate groundwater recharge as the state experiences high flows and flooding from a series of atmospheric rivers. The order permits diversion of flood flows until June 1, though diversion must cease when the flood risk abates. While a great deal of agricultural land is not eligible for flood flow diversion under the order, irrigated pastures may be able to take advantage of the opportunity subject to specific requirement laid out in the Executive Order. For additional details, see last week’s edition of Legislative Bulletin.
SWRCB Extends Scott River Watershed Curtailment Suspensions
On Tuesday the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) announced that curtailments within the Scott River watershed remain suspended through midnight on Thursday, March 30, so long as flows of 200 cubic feet per second (cfs) are maintained at the Fort Jones gage; if flows dip below 200cfs, diversion under all water rights listed in Addendum 45 must immediately cease.
As a reminder, the SWRCB has suspended its prohibition against “inefficient livestock watering” within the Scott and Shasta River watersheds provided diverters comply with the conditions detailed in last week’s Legislative Bulletin. For additional details, review the Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds Drought Response webpage.
Finally, previously-reported water rights curtailment suspensions and conditional curtailments remain in effect for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Russian River, Deer Creek and Mill Creek watersheds.
New Episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast
Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast, “Sorting through ranching in California w/Secretary of CDFA Karen Ross” is out now. Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Dept. of Food and Agriculture, joins Katie on the podcast for a discussion on CDFA’s current works and programs for producers, the role ranchers play in California, and how listeners can help communicate with Californians about the value of ranching and agriculture in the Golden State.To listen to the episode, click here.
Upcoming CCA Events
Feeder Meeting
May 24 – 26, San Diego, CA, Marriott Marquis
Registration for the California Cattlemen’s Association Feeder Council and Arizona Cattle Feeders Association Meeting is now open. To Register click here.
The California Cattlemen’s Association room block at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina is now open! To make your reservation, click here or call (877) 622-3056 and mention “CCA Annual Feeder Meeting 2023.”
CCA Steak and Eggs Legislative and Regulatory Breakfast + Lobby Day
May 16, 2023, Sacramento, CA, The Sutter Club
Join the California Cattlemen’s Association and other CCA members at the 42nd Steak and Eggs Legislative and Regulatory Breakfast + Lobby Day. Plan to be in Sacramento on Tuesday, May 16. Breakfast starts at 8am! Over breakfast, enjoy sharing about your ranch while meeting representatives from regulatory and legislative offices in Sacramento. Following the breakfast, attendees will head across the street to the state Capitol to continue conversations about ranching in California.
There is no cost to attend but RSVPS are required. To RSVP click here.
Upcoming Industry Events
Cattle Health Online Webinar Series
March 1 – March 29, 2023, 5:30 – 7:00pm, Virtual
UC Cooperative Extension and UC Davis Veterinary Medicine are hosting the Cattle Health Online Webinar Series. Webinars will be held Wednesday evenings in March from 5:30-7:00pm. Sessions cover topics important to cattle health and management.
3/22 – Bugging Beef – Internal Parasites
3/29 – Bugging Beef – External Parasites
The event is FREE to participate. To register for the webinars click here.
For questions or assistance please contact Tracy Schohr, UC Cooperative Extension Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor for Plumas, Sierra and Butte Counties at tkschohr@ucanr.edu or 916-716-2643 (text or call).
Video recordings and additional resources from previous webinars can be found at https://ucanr.edu/sites/Rangelands/CattleHealth/.
NCBA Producer Education Webinar Series
March 16 – March 30, 7:00pm (Central), Virtual
3/30 – New Vaccine Technologies: An Addition to Our Animal Health Toolbox. To register, click here.
To view previous webinars click here.
UC Davis Bovine Artificial Insemination Clinic
March 27-29, 2023, Davis, CA, In Person
The UC Davis Young Cattlemen’s Association will host a Bovine Artificial Insemination Clinic March 27-29 at the UC Davis Feedlot and Beef Barn. Veterinarians from the UC Davis School of Medicine will teach the clinic. The cost for non YCA members is $425 and $375 for YCA Members. For more information and to register contact Davisyoungcattlemens@gmail.com.
Industry News
CDFA releases annual ag stats report CDFA Planting Seeds Blog “In 2021, California’s farms, ranches and plant nurseries received $51.1 billion in cash receipts for their output. This represents a 3.6 percent increase compared to the previous year.” To continue reading, click here.
Age, drought, rodents and neglect weaken California levees, heightening flood danger Los Angeles Times “In 2011, the California Department of Water Resources examined Northern California’s levee system. The evaluation considered about 1,800 miles of earthworks throughout the Sacramento and San Joaquin River basins and found that more than half of the levees were what they considered ‘high hazard’ — indicating they were in danger of failing during an earthquake or flood event.” To continue reading, click here.
Stunning viral video shows California farmers launching truck into levee to stop flooding San Francisco Chronicle “A viral video that circulated among California farmers this week, showing two pricey pickup trucks sacrificed to plug a hole in a levee, reveals the drastic measures that some in the agricultural community are taking to protect fields from flooding.” To continue reading, click here.
Inside the world of California’s fire-reducing goats, a quirky but popular weapon against California’s wildfire epidemic Business Insider “They’re called nature’s lawnmowers for a reason.Goats are hungry, agile, and far from picky. Across California, herds of goats are being used to prevent wildfires — alongside more traditional forms of fire prevention.” To continue reading, click here.
A New episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast is out now. Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Dept. of Food and Agriculture, joins Katie on the podcast for a discussion on CDFA’s current works and programs for producers, the role ranchers play in California, and how listeners can help communicate with Californians about the value of ranching and agriculture in the Golden State. To listen to the episode, click here.
