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Water NewsWESTLANDS WATER DISTRICTAPRIL 2017PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATEThe time has come to get the Drainagebill across the finish lineWith the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WINNAct) in place to improve the operations of the Central Valley Project, a 100%allocation for 2017 (late but still a welcome change), and new water supplylegislation introduced in the House this year to further improve CVP operationsand water supply, there’s a lot to look forward to. Westlands Water District(District) is also looking forward to the enactment of pending legislation (H.R.1769, San Luis Unit Drainage Resolution Act) by Congressman David Valadaothat will implement the Drainage Settlement between the District and theUnited States. Similar legislation was introduced in 2015, received a hearingand a markup in the House, but time ran out for passage of the legislation.Now, the timing is right to complete the process and secure legislativeratification of the Settlement. The legislation has bi-partisan support in theHouse of Representatives, and we are encouraged by Senator Feinstein’scomments that the “process has been going on for more than 20 years andneeds to be solved. Both Westlands and the Interior Department know this,which is why they reached an agreement.”H.R. 1769 contains critical provisions that resolves decades of costly litigation,provides a path forward for reuse of the damaged land, requires the Districtto manage drainage in the future, and compensates Westlands’ growers andthe District for the losses that occurred because of the federal government’sfailure to construct a drainage system. The bill was referred to the NaturalResources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.The District will be reaching out to a variety of organizations, providinginformation about the settlement and the legislation. Our education effortswill utilize District documents that describe the legislation and the benefits ofCONTINUED ON PAGE 3Like us onFacebookWe are now on Twitter!Follow us @Westlands Waterand join the conversation today.IN THE NEWSCALIFORNIA WATERALLOCATIONS HIT 100 PERCENT– HERE’S WHY FARMERS ARESTILL MIFFEDSacramento Bee: Lateannouncements ignore logistics offarming, planting decisions weremade months ago.READ FULL ARTICLEFULL WATER ALLOCATION TOOLATE FOR SOME CALIF. FARMERSCourthouse News Service:Decision to allocate 100% shouldhave come sooner.READ FULL ARTICLEWEST SIDE HAS FULL WATERSUPPLIES FOR FIRST TIME SINCE2006The Modesto Bee: Full waterdeliveries restored to districtsthat had been cut back because ofdrought and fish protections.READ FULL ARTICLECENTRAL VALLEY FARMERSRECEIVE FIRST FULL WATERALLOCATION SINCE 2006Valley Public Radio: Good news,but late in the growing season.READ FULL ARTICLEWESTSIDE WATER SUPPLYUPPED TO 100 PERCENTHanford Valley Sentinel: Valleyleaders call for improved waterinfrastructure.READ FULL ARTICLE

CONTACT USWhat’s New: Important NoticesWestlands Water District Office3130 N. Fresno StreetP.O. Box 6056Fresno, CA 93703-6056Phone: 559-224-1523Fax: 559-241-6277Email: info@westlandswater.orgCustomer Accounting Main LinePhone: (559) 241-6250or 1 (800) 266-6574Media Inquiries:Phone: 559-241-6233Email: ENDARMAY16JUN20WWD Board MeetingWWD Board Meeting7th Annual Westside Luncheon for the Boys & Girls Clubsof Fresno CountyTickets are still available for the 7th annual Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno CountyWestside Luncheon, May 25th at Harris Ranch! All event proceeds will fundeducation and leadership programs at the Huron and Firebaugh clubs. For moreinformation on sponsor opportunities or to purchase a table, contact Sandra DeeChaney at (559) 266-3117 or schaney@bgclubfc.org.Westlands Scholarship Information– Application Deadline is Friday,May 12, 2017Westlands Water District is pleased tooffer annually to college-bound seniors ascholarship program that recognizes andrewards exceptional academic achievementand leadership by graduating seniors at areahigh schools. Scholarships are awarded to localwest side high schools at the following schools: Coalinga, Firebaugh, Lemoore,Mendota, Riverdale and Tranquillity. Applications and all supporting documentsare due in the Fresno District Office by Friday, May 12, 2017. Each winnerreceives a 1,000 scholarship award. For an application and list of instructions,please contact the public affairs office at (559) 241-6233.Listen In for more details on the scholarship process.Westlands Water DistrictApril 2017Page 2

PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATEWestlands’ Annual WaterUsers’ WorkshopContinued from page 1the settlement and the Department of Interior’s summaryof the Settlement and how it benefits taxpayers (availablehere).We anticipate that anti-farming legislators and activistgroups will oppose H.R. 1769, as they oppose anythingthat benefits farm communities in the Central Valley.The District staff will continue to knock down themisrepresentations that opponents have unsuccessfullyused in the past to discredit the settlement. We willemphasize that the settlement was negotiated andsupported by the Obama Administration, enjoys bi-partisansupport, resolves litigation that Senator Feinstein andother federal and state officials described as problematic,and has the support of the Trump Administration.Westlands recently held its annual water users’workshop at the Five Points Field Office location.The annual workshop is an opportunity to discussissues of importance with our growers. Staffpresented information concerning water supplyoutlook, CVP allocation, transfers, rescheduledwater, adopted budget and water rates,groundwater conditions and more.With a new President and Congress, the timing is right forpassage of H.R. 1769. Please contact me if you have anyquestions about the legislation.Johnny AmaralDeputy General Manager of External AffairsWestlands Water DistrictWestlands is Hiring!HELPDWANTEJob Opening – Buyer PositionWestlands Water District is currently recruiting to fill one upcoming vacancy for a Buyerposition in the Procurement and Fleet Services Department at the Fresno Office. Applicationsare being accepted through Monday, April 24, 2017. The Notice of Job Opening andSupplemental Application for this position can be found of our website here.Westlands Water DistrictApril 2017Page 3

WESTLANDS’ FOOD FOR THOUGHTTHE WEEKLY REPORT ON CALIFORNIA'SBROKEN WATER SYSTEMApril 14, 2017NRDC’s Own FactsWestlands Water District strongly believes discussions related to the resolution of important water policyissues should be based on facts. It is for that reason that Westlands recently acknowledged, “because of theextremely wet hydrology, the ESA and other regulations have not restricted CVP operations in 2017.” Inhis recent “Expert Blog,” Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Attorney, Doug Obegi, seized onthis “admission” as evidence that “some irrigation districts and special interest groups representingcorporate agribusinesses are twisting the facts to complain about the federal Central Valley Project’s “mere”allocation of [65% for south-of-Delta Central Valley Project agricultural water service contractors.]” Thegreat irony is that it is Mr. Obegi who is twisting the facts.Immediately after quoting Westlands’ “admission,” Mr. Obegi asserts “[i]n the past few years, protectionsfor Delta Smelt have had little to no impact on water supply, as drought was the overwhelming cause ofreductions in water supply (protections for endangered salmon have had some impacts on supply, but eventhose impacts were small compared to hydrologic changes).” Mr. Obegi’s statement is demonstrably false.In terms of California’s hydrologic record, 2016 was an average water year, but south-of-Delta CVPagricultural water service contractors received a 5% allocation. A major factor causing this low allocationwas pumping reductions at the C. W. “Bill” Jones Pumping Plant imposed under the 2008 biologicalopinion for the protection of the Delta smelt. But do not take Westlands’ word for it; instead, review the“change orders” transmitted by the Bureau of Reclamation to the operator of the Jones Pumping Plantdirecting that pumping be reduced to protect the Delta smelt. Those change orders, which are publicdocuments available to Mr. Obegi, are posted on Westlands’ web page at: http://wwd.ca.gov/aboutwestlands/blog/.