Ag Alert. July 19, 2023

investments in water resilience.” Orestimba Creek is a naturally occurring waterway that flows through both water districts in Stanislaus County. The project permit allows for diversions to underground water storage from about 80 acres of percolation ponds to the un- derlying Delta-Mendota subbasin. Stored water can be used to irrigate more than 209,000 acres of farmland or augment surface water supplies, reducing impacts Stormwater capture project launched in Stanislaus on the aquifer during critically dry years. Anthea Hansen, general manager of Del Puerto Water District, said the Central California Irrigation District and Del Puerto Water District have worked “lock- step for over nine years” to bring the 80- acre recharge and recovery project to the Newman area. She said the agencies had to navigate challenging planning and engi- neering, environmental approvals, permits and water-right approvals, funding acqui- sition and community outreach. for completion in June 2024. The water board committed $5.6 million from its Proposition 1 Stormwater Grant Program to fully fund construction of the project’s recharge ponds and diversion and conveyance structures. In a statement, E. Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the state water board, said the proj- ect is “an example of how districts can take advantage of our financial assistance and streamlined permitting to make critical The California State Water Resources Control Board joined the Central California Irrigation District and Del Puerto Water District in western Stanislaus County to launch the Orestimba Creek Recharge and Recovery project. The recharge project is expected to capture up to 3,500 acre-feet of storm- water flows annually for irrigation, while reducing flood risks to disadvantaged communities. The project is scheduled

USDA schedules online session on urban agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture is encouraging urban producers to sub- mit comments and virtually attend a public meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production on Aug. 1. “The Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Federal Advisory Committee continues to support urban agriculture and innovative production efforts at USDA with on-the-ground insight and advice,” said Terry Cosby, chief of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, which houses the USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. “I encourage members of the public to attend.” The upcoming meeting includes ad- dressing public comments and discuss- ing topics such as food waste prevention and recovery, surplus food recovery and compostable food packing standards. To attend virtually, register by Aug. 1 at www.usda.gov/partnerships/federal- advisory-committee-urban-ag. “This locally owned groundwater stor- age is a first for the Del Puerto District and its landowners,” Hansen said, add- ing that she hopes the project is a model for other groundwater storage partner- ship opportunities.” Aside from the board’s $5.6 million stormwater grant, the water districts received $800,000 from the California Department of Water Resources Integrated Regional Water Management Program, also funded by Proposition 1. The project is also supported by $1 million from the fed- eral Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and $2.5 million provided by the water districts for land acquisition and construction costs. CCID General Manager Jarrett Martin said, “Not only are we providing water re- siliency per the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, we are providing flood protection to our community and im- proving the water quality of the domestic water supply.” Statewide goals for stormwater cap- ture, wastewater recycling, desalination, increased storage and conservation are part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s water supply strategy, which seeks to offset the projected 10% loss in California’s water supplies by 2040 due to climate change.

Venue ® Herbicide Gets the Weeds Others Miss

Glyphosate, Glufosinate, and Paraquat leave gaps in your weed control program for tree and vine crops. With Venue, you get fast, powerful control of troublesome broadleaf escapes including field bindweed, purslane, lambsquarters, and stinging nettle. Add the power of Venue to your tank this season, and get the weeds others miss. To learn more, contact your distributor or local Nichino sales representative.

6 Ag Alert July 19, 2023