By Don A. Wright
The Westlands Water District held its board of directors meeting at its Fresno headquarters on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. It was also online. I missed going to the meeting in person and I am thankful for online meetings. The Kern Water Bank used to meet in Bakersfield at 7:00am and on cold, foggy winter days I’d have to get up before everyone else went to bed just to be there on time. And the North Kern Water Storage District used to meet early as well. They had good bagels as I recall.
The Meeting
Things started just a bit past the scheduled 9:00am start with Chairman Jeff Fortune waiting for a farmer named Jon to get his coffee and bagel as I recall. Then Director William Bourdeau, a former Marine, led the flag salute. The consent calendar breezed through without any director or member of the public giving a big enough hoot to pull anything. So, the consent calendar passed.
GM Report
The lovely Allison Febbo gave her General Manager report and said even though the federal government shutdown has impacted the US Bureau of Reclamation there is enough carryover cash in the budget to keep things going, although with a skeleton crew.
Jeff Payne gave a report on the benefits of President Don Trump’s Executive Orders. One bright spot was green sturgeon survive entrainment very well. Febbo added due to the Exec Orders many of the costs have been reduced this year, although the State Water Resources Control Board has a few whoopdy doos that are costing extra and limiting supplies.
The lovely Kitty Campbell reported on estimated allocations by the Central Valley Project. It’s very preliminary for this time of the year absent a long-range, early forecast but the rumor is 15 to 50 percent allocation this year.
Payne said the green sturgeon take was exceeded and the salmon returning from the sea are up. That is considered due to reduce ocean harvesting. So, the poor management of predatory non-native striped bass on native salmon in the Delta is harming our commercial fishing brothers. Payne said Brad Cavallo, WWD’s science director presented the California Fish & Wildlife some ideas to help balance the stressors on salmon. It was a helpful exercise. There are also traffic cameras at Half Moon Bay and other places along the coast that help monitor recreational fishing takes. It looks like the amount of fish taken is bigger than the amount of fish permits.
Payne gave a legislative update. The state legislation season is now over. SB 72 by Senator Ana Caballero was a major win – with the potential to yield an additional nine-million-acre feet. DWR’s Joel Metzger, who recently addressed the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley is running that for the state.
There was a bill that further empowered the Fish & Game commission/government because evidently the more government the more better.
Public Outreach
The lovely Elizabeth Jonasson had her mic muted but it came back on in time to hears some body got a tour. Some others from the Fresno State WET Center entrepreneurial incubator went on a tour to learn first hand how the real world farms in Westlands work. And the Tachi Yokut Tribe met for a tour and an opportunity to discuss ways for the two entities to work together. Tribal lands abut the district and the tribal representatives offered to bless some of Westlands infrastructure.
O&M
Kelly Vandergon said one of the pumping facilities was robbed and vandalized. It was shut down for painting and bad guys stole the copper and aluminum wiring. Vandergon said it appears whoever it was that did this evil deed knew something about electronics and was aware they wouldn’t be killed. The sheriff is looking into it. There was a lot of talk about how to prevent this. Someone, I couldn’t identify whose voice for sure, perhaps said they’ve had tremendous results using Skynet. It can trigger motion detection lights and cameras.
Golden mussels and what to do about them was the next item. There are mussels within Westlands’ infrastructure. They are working with state and federal officials and coordinating with other districts from the Delta to the south end of the Valley to seek funding to help deal with this.
Power
Jose Gutierrez reported staff is continuing to prepare responses to the public comments to the draft Valley Clean Infrastructure Energy Project.
Patrick Maloy of Golden State Energy gave the board an update on what is going on with the regulatory hurdles. The state Public Utilities Commission is requiring 14.8 gigawatts by 2030 and 61.8 gigawatts by 2045. It is also crazy overestimating the
amount of power wind will deliver. He told the PUC this isn’t doable and don’t send it to the Independent System Operators if you want to be successful. The 100,000 acres of solar planned for Westlands is going to be a major player. The state’s plan to provide sufficient power is hampered by its unwillingness to partner with energy developers.
The data center growth is going to drive things and Patrick said most of the increase will require additional transmission north of Fresno.
Strategic Plans
Russ Freeman reported on increasing recharge and land use such as solar as prime drivers. The district is also concentrating on finances, workforce and talent acquisition.
Bourdeau announced Samantha Barncastle is taking over from Dan Keppen as Executive Director of the Family Farm Alliance. Barncastle was able to thank the board online for Westlands support in both financial and goals. Febbo said the history of the FFA is interesting as many of the founders were Westlands growers. She said she’s excited to begin working with Barncastle.
Director Jeremy Hughes asked if there is room for individual growers and Bourdeau said Dan Errotabere is mover in the organization.
Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley
Austin Ewell, Interim Executive Director of the Blueprint addressed the board saying it was his first time at the new Westlands HQ and he was disappointed that farmer Jon not only delayed the meeting but took the last bagel. So, there’s that.
Ewell said the Blueprint came together in response to find some workable solution to prevent retiring a million acres of farmland (or more) due to lack of water supplies. Ewell, who used to work for the Department of Interior, said many times as
stakeholders approached the government seeking help to fix water problems; they don’t speak with a unified voice. The Blueprint is designed to bring these voices together.
Infrastructure, relief from do nothing regulations and Delta management improvements to facilitate exports are the focus. Director Justin Diener asked about the funding source of the Blueprint. He had heard it was a grant from the USBR. Ewell said the organization’s funding actually comes from donations. There was a Bureau Grant that went to the California Water Institute at Fresno State to develop a unified water plan. This plan is in a three-chapter draft form and will soon be released.
Diener asked if the Blueprint’s focus is on white area landowners. Ewell said, and I agree, white area growers are the most vulnerable in the Valley and need representation as they don’t have a well-organized district to speak for them. But this isn’t a white area effort. Both the eastside and westside of the Valley are represented. Director Jim Anderson said he isn’t big on helping white areas as water that goes to a white area doesn’t get to Westland growers. Bourdeau spoke up saying he supports the Blueprint as it unifies all growers and the interconnected economics. Westlands has been a partner with the Blueprint.
Next Mike Wade, also working with the Blueprint, presented the board with an update as to what the California Farm Water Coalition has been up to. Wade said social media has not only allowed a greater, affordable reach but the benefits of this is reaching a younger demographic. Wade is optimistic about the future. He’s been with the CFWC
since 1998 and will be stepping down as executive director early next year. And, there is a transition plan in place. Febbo said CFWC is creating excellent outreach such as showing how ag water is actually consumed at the dinner table. Bourdeau thanked Wade for his work.
Other Things
There were other amazing matters discussed at this meeting and they are all matters of accessible public record – but for the closed session items. The meeting was going longer than usual and I had other commitments, so I regrettably had to leave before the financial reports. So, that’s that for this month’s Westlands report. Go be good to each other and yourselves.
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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, Kitty 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
