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Farmers in San Benito County Anticipate Federal Water Projects Would Enhance Allocations

San Benito County Farmers Hope For Increase in Federal Water Allocations

San Benito County Farmers Hope For Increase in Federal Water Allocations

Farmers in San Benito County are anticipating an increase in water supplies from the federal government. Some people are hoping that the federal government will enhance water supplies to farms and cities a day after state water leaders stated their intention to do so.

The decision was made after a string of atmospheric rivers enhanced the Sierra snowpack and flooded reservoirs across the state. No such decision has been made, however by federal officials.

Farmers in San Benito County are keeping their fingers crossed that they do, as the water levels in the San Luis reservoir, a federal water project have risen dramatically over the past month making that reservoir an important source of water for the county’s farmers.

San Benito County Farmers Hope For Increase in Federal Water Allocations

The water capacity has increased from 24% before a series of storms hit the Central Coast to 57% as of January 27. According to Donald Wirz, president of the San Benito County Farm Bureau and a grape producer having more water on hand and a more secure water supply that’s always fantastic news to hear.

The county’s farmers really need access to all that water. After years of drought, the federal government severely reduced water allocations from the reservoir. Now that the reservoirs are filling up state authorities are hoping the federal government would follow suit and begin releasing more water to local jurisdictions.

This gives us optimism that the feds would follow suit, as Wirz put it so that we may obtain more than just the municipal and industrial allocation that we’ve gotten the last couple of years. Kollin Kosmicki, a county supervisor whose district included a rich agricultural area added, You know we all want to get back to normal living when it comes to water.

Kosmicki is also anticipating a larger water delivery from the federal government. Because most of the county is subject to stage two water conservation restrictions which severely restrict water use in establishments including restaurants, hotels and lawn irrigation.

Read our previous articles if you’re interested in reading about the latest news of this week:

Those limits may be loosened this summer due to federal water releases. The value of modern conveniences isn’t often appreciated until they are restored. Kosmicki remarked, “We might be in a much better situation down the line if we receive some more rain and if we get the allocation from the feds”.

The government has not yet announced whether it will increase water supplies to farmers and towns, but local authorities hope to hear something by spring at the latest. If you liked our post, thanks for reading! You must tell us your response in the comments. You can read the most recent changes by following our official Twitter page.

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