By Don A. Wright
The Westlands Water District held its board of directors meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at its Fresno headquarters and on Zoom – the better choice for your online meeting – don’t you wish everyone used it? I hope the Chi Coms don’t own Zoom. Anyway, Westlands. The gathering actually began at 8:30am with the Finance & Administration Committee. I wasn’t paying much attention but the subject of ACH as opposed to just cash, checks and credit cards as an option for Westlands growers to pay their bills. I don’t know where that went because as I stated above I wasn’t paying attention but it sounds like a good idea.
The Meeting
The actual meeting was called to order at 9:08am by Chairman Jeff Fortune. The first item was pledging allegiance to our flag. That act was a glorious understatement of the American spirit. The consent calendar was next and item 3.d. was pulled by staff, which was a bit unusual. General Manager Alison Febbo explained there needs to be changes on several boards that Kiti Campbell now serves on. Dr. Peter Maraccini has been hired as the district’s Chief Science Officer and will now handle the biological matters. Dr. Maraccini’s actual title is actually Supervisor of Resources. So, we don’t get to use the Star Trek reference.
GM Report
Febbo introduced Alan Rosenthal as a replacement for Tom Boardman who closely monitored conditions in and impacting the Delta and south of Delta supplies. Next Febbo said President Donald Trump appointed Ted Cooke of Arizona as the new Commissioner of the US Bureau of Reclamation. Many Californians had hoped for a certain, extremely qualified Californian to take that position. Well, bummer but we wish Mr. Cooke a lot of success.
Speaking of Trump, his Executive Order to move more water to the San Joaquin Valley is still on the front of mind for growers. There needs to be changes to the regulatory web that prevents not only farmers from not getting water but doesn’t help the environment. It does seem to generate funds however. Certain NGOs have a good arrangement with certain elected officials. No, don’t do it, let go of those pearls you’re clutching – you have to face it. It’s true in politics reality doesn’t always prevail. If it did 90 percent or more of the out-migrating salmon wouldn’t be eaten by non-native sports fish like striped bass. So some regulatory adjustments may bring back some much vaunted equity in water supplies.
Campbell gave her water report and that open up a talk about how sound the science is when it comes to the Delta and water allocations. The current South of Delta Central Valley Project allocation is 55 percent. It could go up to 60 percent but there are some limitations on San Luis Reservoir storage. Fortune asked her if she knew how many acres have been fallowed this year. The exact figure hasn’t been determined yet but it’s looking to be more than 200,000 acres.
Febbo explained there is a two-tiered mess being created in Sacramento. The State Water Resources Out of Control Board is offering either allegiance to the Voluntary Agreements or suffer unimpaired flows. No one South of the Delta likes these options.
Federal Legislation
Febbo said the Senate cut out $2 billion of storage and there is $500 million for infrastructure to be shared by all. The Department of Interior is soliciting comments. Congressman Adam Gray has submitted a bill to protect farmers’ water supplies. Several delegations from California went to DC recently to lobby for the storage funds. It isn’t a done deal but hope is fading.
State Problems
California has a $40 billion deficit but the Prop 4 funds are safe for now, said Febbo. There will be a good deal of eyes on this stash of cash.
PIO Report
Public Information Officer Elizabeth Jonasson (also known as Deputy GM External Relations) asked Jason Mendez to talk about scholarships. Westlands was able to award several scholarships to Valley high school students. Half of them are first in their family to go to college. The vast majority stated their plans are to work in Valley agriculture. Director Frank Coelho asked if the scholarship winners are tracked and the answer is yes. Director William Bourdeau said he’d like to remember more than just the super stars when it comes to awarding scholarships. There were more than 40 applications and the essays were very good.
The report included a review of social media achievements. Jonasson said the water allocation themed postings garnered the most views. There were many events attended and hosted. There is now a partnership with the California Farmworker Foundation.
O&M
Kelly Vandergon introduced the newest Westlands engineer Nick Waelty. Today was his second day and he spent yesterday going through an operations and maintenance committee meeting. Good for him.
Vandergon reported they are getting caught up on pump testing and stocking the most commonly needed components at the Five Points facility. Transformer maintenance is ongoing. Director Justin Diener asked about invasive species. Vandergon said Westlands stays informed on the golden mussel situation. He said it appears the little slug can seal itself off from chemicals such as aquatic herbicide. If I understood warmer water
temperatures can kill them, like I guess it could kill just about anything if the water gets warm enough. Bourdeau asked if there is a natural predator. There have been studies in Florida that hold out a glimmer of hope. There is a fish that likes to eat them but it’s uncertain they can survive in California waters. So far the best approach in California is to keep them out of the water in the first place.
Jose Gutierrez reported the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan is crossing some permitting hurdles. Golden State Energy is pursuing many options and setting up potential partnership/relationships.
Steve Farmer reported on the seven point Strategic Plan. This includes: Delta regulatory improvements, groundwater recharge, land usage such as solar, critical infrastructure needs, workforce and talent and manage finances correctly – which includes proper 218 elections. There is much more to the plan.
Outside Agencies
Bourdeau reported on the Family Farm Alliance. He said FFA is going through a transition as a new Executive Director Samantha Barncastle will be replacing Dan Keppen in the fall. FFA is still hitting it hard in DC.
Russ Freeman reported on the San Luis Delta Mendota Water Authority. SLDM has been busy with the raising of the Sisk Dam on the San Luis Reservoir. The O&M Committee toured the facilities. There appears to be a $1 billion subsidence problem on the Delta Mendota Canal.
Farmer said the USBR has been resistant to the efforts by the CVP Association to help true up costs. Bourdeau commented there needs to be more up to date technology.
Finance & Admin
Bourdeau is chair of the F&A Committee and he had staff give the report of this morning’s meeting. Investments are actually doing well. Budgets are doing well as well with only slight issues due mostly to timing more than anything else. There is a summary in this month’s report that tracts district consultants.
The board set a new policy on the recommendation of the F&A Committee to allow staff to write off certain unsecured receivables under $25,000. Of course these are limited to more routine matters such as bankruptcy.
Staff also reported on customer service when using interactive technology. The board asked them to create a list of priorities and fix things. Director Jim Anderson asked what is so difficult about paying bills? He also asked how to get some land based charges reduced since there has been more income from land sales. Staff is working on recommendations. Diener said to come back with recommendations but until the district’s debt is paid down further to keep that in mind.
SGMA
The report dealing with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was given by Antonio Solorio. Staff did a survey of why there was groundwater pumping and the most common answer was to test the pumps. I think that’s what he said. It was a bit hard to hear him. First quarter 2025 groundwater conditions will be presented at next month’s meeting. Almost all of Westlands has either maintained the distance to groundwater or the groundwater level has resin. But for a small spot in the far southwest corner of the district.
Campbell reported Resolution No. GSA 101-25 will change how growers’ accounts are balanced if there is no loss. This only applies to five years old or older, sustainable yields. Grower Rebecca Kiser asked the board to consider as much flexibility as possible. She was concerned while some will do their part others won’t. The board agreed to do its best and adopted the resolution.
Honoring Tim Bisbee
Resolution No.110-25 was adopted to commend Tim Bisbee who worked for Westlands for decades. Good for him.
Broadview WD Rep
Broadview Water District is an area just north of Westlands that was purchased by Westlands. Broadview has very poor groundwater quality and Westlands now gets the surface water that had gone there. There are three board positions opening up in December and staff Campbell, Sherman Dix and Febbo will sit on this board.
Public Comment & Closed Session
There was no public comments and the meeting went into closed session at 10:41am. That was that. Go be good to yourselves and others.
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Westlands Water District
286 W. Cromwell Ave, Fresno, CA 93711 Phone:559/224-1523
Board: Jeff Fortune -President, Jim Anderson – Vice President, Frank Coelho Jr., William Bourdeau, Ryan Ferguson, Ross Franson, Jeremy Hughes, Ernie Costamagna & Justin Diener.
Staff: Allison Febbo-General Manager, Jose Gutierrez-Lt. General Manger, Russ Freeman-Deputy GM Resources, Kiti Campbell-Supervisor of Resources, Steve Farmer-VP of Finance & Admin Affairs, Elizabeth Esposito-In House Counsel, Kelly Vandergon-Director of O&M, Jim Carter-IT Guru and Elizabeth Jonasson-Public Affairs Officer.
About: Without irrigation, farming in the Westlands area of California would be limited and ineffectual. The history of Westlands is one of continual adaptation, careful water stewardship and advanced technology. By maintaining a fierce commitment to sustainability, the Westlands’ comprehensive water supply system continues to adapt, educate, and surpass conservation goals. Throughout its history, Westlands Water District has demonstrated a lasting dedication to water conservation and recognized that the long-term survival of its farms depends on the effective management of California’s precious water resources. From www.wwd.ca.gov
SGMA: Westland WD is in the Westside Subbasin and the Westlands WD GSA. DWR #5-022.09
