News

CVJV Partners Oppose New Water Assessments for Tulare Basin Duck Clubs

August 14, 2013

By Mark Hennelly
Chair, Legislative Committee
Central Valley Joint Venture

In June, several of the Central Valley Joint Venture (CVJV) partners, including California Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Audubon California and the Tulare Basin Wildlife Partners, expressed concerns to the Semitropic Water Storage District regarding a proposed water rate increase for wetlands and agricultural properties. The issue was brought to the CVJV partners’ attention by the Tulare Basin Wetlands Association (TBWA), which represents many of the private duck clubs within the District.

Many of the partners’ comments pointed out that the proposed General Project Service Charge increase ($27.00 – $37.25 per flooded acre) would constitute a significant disincentive for wetland owners to flood their properties for waterfowl conservation and recreational hunting purposes.  The end result would be considerably less wetland habitat within the Tulare Basin (which has already experienced the greatest wetland loss (98%)of any area of the State) and a corresponding decrease in food resources available to wintering waterfowl populations.

In response these and other concerns, the District agreed to exempt wetland properties from almost all newly proposed assessments for 2013-14 (other than a $1.50 per acre General Administrative Service Charge).  In the meantime, the TBWA is forming a committee to work cooperatively with the District to formulate an appropriate long-term policy for wetlands and water assessments.