The News Review:

- Recent storms boost California snowpack
- PIC Holdings Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 …
- Introduction of Strong Water Bonds a ‘Hopeful Sign’ Says Nassif
- UC Davis Experts: Drought and Water Supply
- Smoky Hill could provide Salina more water
- The water front
- Severance Tax for Bottled Water

Recent storms boost California snowpack
San Jose Mercury News
Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state drought emergency that asks Californians to cut by their water use by 20 percent. Measurements of snow depth and water content in the Sierra are important because they help hydrologists forecast how much water could flow into reservoirs that supply roughly two-thirds of the state and farmers in the Central Valley. In the northern Sierra Nevada just south of Lake Tahoe the Department of Water Resources measured the snow Monday at 54 inches deep. The water content was 25 inches which is 101 of the average for Advertisement yld_mgr. place_ad_here(“adPosBox”); this time of year. The average level for the northern Sierrawhich stretches from the Trinity River to the Feather and Truckee rivers was about 84 percent of normal. Levels measured about 77 percent of normal in the central region and 83 percent of normal in the southern region to the Kern River.

PIC Holdings Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 …
MSNBC
“We remain committed to being a hard asset’ company as it is highly likely that all of the funds being pumped into the financial system and economies around the world will lead to high rates of inflation in the medium term. In this environment our hard assets of water resources low-basis land in our real estate operations and the asset-rich stocks in our insurance company investment portfolios should provide a safe haven with above average returns. “Vidler’s most important asset is the Fish Springs water credits which represent the only source of new water supply available to developers in the north valleys of Reno. Due to our financial structure we are under no pressure to sell any asset at less than full value. Given long-term demographics these unique assets should continue to increase in value. As and when the real estate market in the area begins to recover developers will need to secure water supplies before they can obtain permits and begin new development. “Vidler is also actively developing new water resources for municipal and industrial use.

Introduction of Strong Water Bonds a ‘Hopeful Sign’ Says Nassif
PR Newswire (press release)
Funds are also proposed for implementation of a sustainable resource management plan for the Delta and local and regional conveyance project ($2. 4 billion); water conservation and water use efficiency ($520 million); water quality improvement ($950 million); water resources stewardship ($1 billion); and $610 million for other projects including restoration of watersheds removal of fish barriers and ocean protection. SB 301 (Florez) calls for $15 billion in general obligation bonds with $7 billion for additional storage projects $1. 5 billion for regional water supply reliability $3 billion for Delta ecosystem restoration water supply reliability and in-Delta investments and funding levels similar to SB 371 for other projects. Nassif also warned that a water bond will not provide immediate relief. “Even if this water bond were enacted tomorrow it will be many years before water storage and conveyance projects can be completed. Federal and state leaders must confront the reality that rules designed to protect fish species are causing irreparable harm to thousands of Californians whose livelihoods depend on farmers who are being forced to abandon fields and cut jobs.

UC Davis Experts: Drought and Water Supply
UC Davis
Water Economics and Markets — Richard Howitt professor and chair of Agricultural and Resource Economics recently co-authored a paper on how Central Valley agriculture would be impacted by reductions in water exports from the Delta. He serves on advisory boards for the California Department of Water Resources and the National Academy of Sciences. Contact: Richard Howitt Agricultural and Resource Economics (530) 752-1521 howitt@primal. WATER HISTRY AND PLITICSCalifornia Water Conflict — UC Davis sociologist John Walton can talk about the history and issues behind water as it relates to the state’s growth and the social rebellions it has produced.

Smoky Hill could provide Salina more water
Salina Journal
That seasonal variation could be a key to extending the river?s usefulness as a source of water for the city of Salina. During a study session Monday Salina city commissioners looked at more than a dozen options for expanding the city?s water supply to ensure enough water for the next 50 years. In July 2006 the Smoky Hill River practically stopped flowing before it reached Salina prompting a water emergency. ?You don?t have sufficient water supplies to meet future demand? said Donald Linderman project manager with HDR an engineering consulting firm the city hired to help it plan for future water needs. The city commission plans to revisit the topic when it meets March 23. Read more about water in Tuesday’s Salina Journal.

The water front
San Bernardino Sun
Trying to place blame won’t produce more water just endless court battles. If we’re going to solve this crisis we will have to do it together. We will all need to use the most efficient means to supply the water needed but not more than is needed. Improvements in irrigation practices on the farms and in the neighborhoods are vital. Indoor water conservation is now the norm for new construction and retrofits to low water-consuming fixtures in older homes are subsidized by the local water agencies. peration of our major statewide water distribution systems – including the construction of surface storage groundwater banking and the Peripheral Canal – will need to be more closely coordinated with meeting reasonable goals for environmental uses while meeting the needs of the people to live work and play. We will all need to share in the responsibility – and the sacrifices – of ensuring that we have a reliable water supply.

Severance Tax for Bottled Water
Capitol News Service
70 million the year after. 4 billion gallons a year are permitted to be taken from the water supply. ?Six cents per gallon which is several bottles is really a little amount. And the money would also be going to a good cause as well? Doug Tobin with the Dept. f Environmental protection said. ?Some of the money will be used for alternative water projects such as cleaning up waste water so it can be used to irrigate golf courses.
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