The News Review:

- As supplies dry up, growers pass on farming and sell water
- Hearing today on water supplies, polices
- Mayor wants new terms on water supply: To seek premium rate for…
- Irrigators likely to miss out on water more often

As supplies dry up, growers pass on farming and sell water
San Francisco Chronicle – Jan 23, 2008
(AP) — In a state where water has become an increasingly scarce commodity, a growing number of farmers are betting they can make more money selling their water supplies to thirsty cities and farms to the south than by growing crops. The shortages this season — among the most intense of the last decade — are already shooting water prices skyward in many areas, and Los Angeles-area cities are begging for water and coaxing farmers to let their fields go to dust. “It just makes dollars and sense right now,” said Bruce Rolen, a third-generation farmer in Northern California’s lush Sacramento Valley. “There’s more economic advantage to fallowing than raising a crop. Instead of sowing seeds in April, Rolen plans to leave his rice stubble for the birds and sell his irrigation water on the open market, where it could fetch up to three times the normal price…
(AP) — In a state where water has become an increasingly scarce commodity, a growing number of farmers are betting they can make more money selling their water supplies to thirsty cities and farms to the south than by growing crops. The shortages this season — among the most intense of the last decade — are already shooting water prices skyward in many areas, and Los Angeles-area cities are begging for water and coaxing farmers to let their fields go to dust. “It just makes dollars and sense right now,” said Bruce Rolen, a third-generation farmer in Northern California’s lush Sacramento Valley. “There’s more economic advantage to fallowing than raising a crop. Instead of sowing seeds in April, Rolen plans to leave his rice stubble for the birds and sell his irrigation water on the open market, where it could fetch up to three times the normal price.

Hearing today on water supplies, polices
News & Observer – Jan 23, 2008
State environmental leaders are starting a yearlong study of the state’s water supplies and policies. They want to determine whether state regulators should have a heavier hand in decisions about allocating water among local communities. The broader look at the state’s water supplies and future demands was spurred by a continuing dispute with South Carolina over transferring water from one river basin to another and drought-driven water restrictions in many communities. Today’s hearing is the third in a series planned by the state Environmental Review Commission across the state. Recommendations will go to state lawmakers next year. Dan Clodfelter, co-chairman of the state commission, has said that the state’s approach to water policy has evolved largely on the premise that water was plentiful and would always be available.

Mayor wants new terms on water supply: To seek premium rate for…
Patriot Ledger – The Patriot Ledger – Jan 23, 2008
’’Tri-Town and base developer LNR Property Corp. need the water to supply the second half of the project’s first phase, which will include 500 homes and two commercial parcels. Before Madden signed the commitment, it was thought that a new main carrying water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority in Quincy would supply that stage of the development and the rest of SouthField. Fancher said Tri-Town may have to reconsider that option in the wake of Kay’s request for negotiations. Jack Encarnacao is at.

Irrigators likely to miss out on water more often
NEWS.com.au – Jan 23, 2008
article-tools –> Sarah Wotherspoon January 23, 2008 12:00am WATER market reform, pricing restructures and a Murray-Goulburn pipeline are being assessed by the State Government as possible solutions to secure northern Victoria’s water supplies. The reform push comes as figures in a government discussion paper show flows into Victoria’s key irrigation rivers could be cut by up to 58 per cent if current climate predictions eventuate. The Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy discussion paper, to be released by Water Minister Tim Holding today, also raises the prospect of Murray River irrigators being hit with zero allocations up to five years out of 100 if flows decrease. The 50-year plan will look at how to manage the impacts of climate change and other environmental factors on key rivers, including the Murray, Goulburn, Ovens, Campaspe and Broken. "The Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy will ultimately secure water supplies for households, industry, irrigators and the environment," Mr Holding said. "This process will open discussion about the most appropriate solutions to managing our water supplies to meet the needs of everyone. " Northern Victoria has suffered through more than 10 years of drought with irrigators on some systems receiving a zero water allocation this season.