California Ag Network

Tag: Association of California Water Agencies

  • San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority Mourns Loss of Longtime Byron-Bethany Irrigation District General Manager, Rick Gilmore

    Rick Gilmore, age 61, of Stockton, passed away on May 14th, 2023, of natural causes.

    Rick was born June 25, 1961 in Paragould, Arkansas, one of two boys, his brother David passed in 1997. He is fondly remembered for his kindness and fierce loyalty, his wry sense of humor and for his willingness to stand up and fight for what he believed in. He is survived by his mother, Shirley Schultz.

    Rick was as a titan of California’s water industry. His steadfast tenacity and devotion to protect agriculture and multi-generational farmers made a significant, lasting impact not only in the Tracy area, but across the state.

    He worked his way up from humble beginnings. In 1983, Rick joined the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) as a ditch tender. Over the years, he rose through the ranks and in 1999 he became BBID’s General Manager. Rick served dutifully in that capacity until March 2022, when he went on a medical leave of absence. Rick was an encyclopedia of knowledge about BBID and could recite, from memory, anything from the intricate details of water policy, to the inner workings of District facilities, to moments large and small from the District’s 100-plus year history. Rick was also very active in a number of water related organizations such as the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), the San Luis Delta Mendota Water Authority, and others.

    Rick was a beloved, larger-than-life figure in the local community and amongst his colleagues in the water profession. He cared deeply for his family, colleagues and the community BBID serves, and changed countless lives with his incredible energy, generosity, and support. Rick referred to the team of BBID’s consultants simply as “the BBID Family,” and hosted numerous dinners and holiday parties at District Headquarters with his partner, the late Kelley Geyer.

    In the midst of historic drought in 2015, Rick was the steady hand that guided the District in its successful challenge of the State Water Board when it curtailed BBID’s water supply. BBID’s unprecedented, resounding victories before the State Water Board and Santa Clara Superior Court strengthened the oldest water rights in California to this day. It would not have been possible without Rick’s leadership, courage, and intellect – and his belief that BBID would ultimately prevail despite incredible odds and enormous stakes.

    That’s the kind of person he was – the kind of person who would see something all the way through, no matter how difficult; no matter how hard he had to work. People like Rick are unique and rare.

    A memorial celebrating Rick’s life will be held June 1, 2023. Further details will be posted on BBID’s website at www.bbid.org. Friends and loved ones are welcome to attend. Click here for additional details.

  • Infrastructure Bill Delivers Major Victory for Western Water Users

    With President Joe Biden’s signature on the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a national coalition representing thousands of Western farmers, ranchers, businesses and rural and urban water providers declared a victory for Western water users and called on the Administration to immediately clear the path for projects that will address critical Western water supply needs.

    The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes more than $8 billion for projects that will enhance water supply reliability across the West, including repairing aging dams and canals, building new surface and groundwater storage and conveyance facilities, funding water conservation and recycling projects, and improving watershed and ecosystem management.

    “This is a great victory for Western water users. The Western water provisions included in this legislation represent a once-in-a-generation federal investment that will bolster our aging water infrastructure and keep water flowing to our nation’s farms and ranches. It will also improve our ability to provide water supply reliability for cities and the environment in future droughts,” Family Farm Alliance Executive Director Dan Keppen said.

    “Water is the cornerstone of our economic and ecological wellbeing. We are grateful to Congress and the Administration for their efforts to enact of this historic bipartisan legislation. It will benefit every American as well as future generations by making critical investments in our nation’s water infrastructure,” National Water Resources Association President Christine Arbogast said.

    “The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) applauds this bipartisan commitment to invest in water infrastructure on a historic scale which will provide western water managers with valuable resources for storage, conveyance, recycling, ecosystem and dam safety projects. Today represents a milestone in our nation’s collective ability to achieve water infrastructure resilience and ensure a safe, reliable and high-quality supply of water now and for future generations,” ACWA Executive Director David Eggerton said.

    “Amid the searing drought across the West and another catastrophic wildfire season, the $8 billion investment included for water infrastructure investments comes at a critical time. We are appreciative of the bipartisan investment that has been made in new and aging infrastructure as well as water conveyance facilities. Farmers can now look forward to long-needed infrastructure enhancements necessary to produce a safe and reliable food supply,” California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson said.

    “We urge the Administration to quickly drive implementation of the Western water provisions. Time, like water, is in short supply. We cannot let red tape and activist litigation stall or block the many long overdue projects necessary to repair and enhance our aging water infrastructure and develop reliable new sources of water supply,” Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia said.

    The coalition includes more than 220 organizations from 15 states that collectively represent $120 billion in agricultural production—nearly one-third of all agricultural production in the country—and many of the local and regional public water agencies that supply water to more than 75 million urban, suburban and rural residents.

    About Association of California Water Agencies:

    The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) is a statewide association of public agencies whose more than 450 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more than a century, our mission has been clear: To provide comprehensive leadership, advocacy and resources for California public water agencies to ensure a high quality and reliable water supply in an environmentally sustainable and fiscally responsible manner.

    About California Farm Bureau:

    The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 32,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 5.5 million Farm Bureau members.

    About Family Farm Alliance:

    The Family Farm Alliance is a powerful advocate for family farmers, ranchers, irrigation districts, and allied industries in seventeen Western states. The Alliance is focused on one mission – To ensure the availability of reliable, affordable irrigation water supplies to Western farmers and ranchers.

    About National Water Resources Association:

    National Water Resources Association advocates federal policies, legislation, and regulations promoting protection, management, development, and beneficial use of water resources. The association is dedicated to achieving sustainable water supply for all beneficial uses in an economical and environmentally responsible manner.

    About Western Growers:

    Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. Our members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce.