CAIA - A Voice in Government

The Irrigation Association, Western Growers Association, California Farm Bureau Federation, State Legislators, the Secretary of State, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and others, recognize CAIA as the professional organization serving the interests of irrigation in California agriculture. Many times the CAIA has been called upon for their input on water and environmental issues that help shape legislation affecting California agriculture. CAIA has been very active in shaping the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) of the 2002 Farm Bill. CAIA currently participates on the Steering Committee for the State Water Management Engineer with the EQIP program.

CAIA works closely with the Irrigation Association's, Western Growers Association's, and California Farm Bureau Federations's state legislature liaisons to give you a say in the laws that will affect your business, both nationally and more importantly in California.

CAIA keeps their members informed on irrigation news and legislation by maintaining a current email listing. This allows CAIA to distribute critical information directly to their membership on a timely basis. CAIA also distributes a E-Newsletter with state and national news of interest to the irrigation industry.

CAIA Takes Action

CAIA Supports Governor Schwarzenegger's Comprehensive Water Package

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 In January, building on his Strategic Growth Plan from last year, the Governor introduced a comprehensive plan to invest in additional surface and groundwater storage to meet the needs of population growth and manage the effects of climate change on California's hydrology and water delivery systems. The plan will help communities protect against flooding, and capture water from storms and snowmelt run-off to supply cities, farmers and business with water during drought conditions. The Governor’s comprehensive plan also includes significant funding toward restoration of the ailing Delta and would lead to the development of a new conveyance system. Twenty five million Californians rely on the Delta for clean, safe water. It also irrigates hundreds of thousands of acres of Central Valley farmland and it is the backbone of California’s $32 billion agricultural industry.

View CAIA's Letter of Support

View Sample Letter of Support

View Governor's Water Infrastructure Proposal September 18, 2007

Visit Governor Schwarzenegger's Water Plan Page

SPECIAL SENATE SESSIONS ON HEALTH & WATER - OCTOBER 2007 SB X2 - 3 by Senator Dave Cogdill would enact the Water Supply Reliability Bond Act of 2008 which, if approved by the voters, would authorize, for the purposes of financing a water supply reliability and evironmental restoration progrm and the issuance of bonds in the amount of $9,085,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law. This would include the construction of two new reservoirs (Sites and Temperance Flat) and the expansion of a third, Los Vaqueros. STATUS: HELD in Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.

SB X2 - 2 by Perata would enact the Water Supply Reliability Bond Act of 2008, which if approved by the voters, would authorize for the purposes of financing a specified water supply reliability and environmental restoration program, the issuance of bonds in the amount of $5,800,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law. STATUS: DEFEATED on Senate Floor.

 

 
CAIA Opposes SB 1001
 SB 1001 - Don Perata, D-Oakland

SB 1001 reduces the balance of appointments on the nine regional water quality control boards by eliminating designated agricultural and other industry representatives from the membership. Background and experience is necessary for board members to effectively implement and balance multiple factors relating to water quality standards and permits.

SB 1001 also allows the State Water Resources Control Board to revoke the regulatory authority of the regional water quality control boards. The regional boards were created by the legislature and the legislature should not authorize another state agency to revoke their regulatory authority.

READ CAIA OPPOSITION LETTER (.doc)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
CAIA Opposes SB 820 Summary of SB 820: This bill would have established water conservation as a consideration for determining reasonable use, establish requirements for reporting annual use of water under various water rights, establish consequences for failing to file required reports, and add additional requirements on various water resources planning processes. View the opposition letter
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed SB 820 on October 7, 2005.


Click here to read the Governor's press release.
CAIA gets top recognition in the Irrigation Association's State Legislative and Regulatory News Update, Statesman, May 2005 Edition.  

 

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Watch this page for more legislative action taken by CAIA on behalf of the California agricultural industry!
  
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