February 2024
farmbureaunews Meeting today’s challenges. Planning for tomorrow.
san joaquin
Vol. 109 No. 2
Delta tunnels EIR Ballot measure could certified despite opposition ban concentrated feeding operations TOP STORY
By Vicky Boyd
Vicky Boyd
Animal rights activists are trying to qualify a ballot measure in Sonoma County that would ban confined animal feeding operations. With poultry, dairy and cattle ranking in the Top 10 crops, San Joaquin County could stand to lose a lot should the activists expand their efforts inland.
By Vicky Boyd EFFORTS TO QUALIFY a Sonoma County ballot measure that would ban confined animal operations have prompted several agricultural
groups, including the San Joaquin Farm Bureau, to join the offensive. Fearing similar animal rights movements could spread elseSee Ballot Measure, page 9
ment of Water Resources recently certified the environmental impact report for the massive Delta tunnel project, saying it complied with state law and setting permitting in motion. Critics – ranging from agricultural to environmental groups and native tribes – have called the tunnel a “boondoggle” and a “Delta killer.” They also say it’s based on outdated 20 th century thinking of simply moving water from the north to the south without adding any new water to the system. In the process, the tunnel will cause irreparable harm to the fragile Delta, according to critics. But supporters, comprising 17 water agencies mostly south of the Delta, contend
Vicky Boyd
THE CALIFORNIA Depart-
The proposed 45-mile long underground Delta tunnel has received stiff opposition from Delta farmers and residents, environmental groups and native tribes, to name a few.
it’s needed to ensure reliability in the face of global warming, rising sea levels, potential earthquakes, Delta subsidence and fishery decline. San Joaquin Farm Bureau First Vice President Les Strojan said that while he was disappointed with the state certifying the document, it wasn’t surprising.
“This has been coming for a long, long time – siphoning the Delta to build houses out in the desert,” said Strojan, who raises cattle and forage crops with his son near Farmington. “But we’re farmers in California, and we don’t have the votes anymore. Voters are See Tunnels, page 7
INSIDE: 3 State winegrape w w w.sjf b.org
growers urged to remove 50,000 acres
5 SJFB endorses Peter
Devencenzi for Superior Court Judge
10 Attend your
local Farm Center Meeting
san joaquin far m bur eau news
1