Joining Mr. Mathews in presenting to CORO are John Krist, CEO of Ventura County Farm Bureau; Ben Faber, Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension; David Schwabauer, Farmer with Leaven’s Ranches; Lynn Maulhardt, Farmer and Chairman of the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency; Chris Sayer, Manager of Petty Ranch, and; Henry Gonzales, Agricultural Commissioner of County of Ventura.  The presenters will discuss the importance of water and agriculture and how it relates to the economy of Ventura County.   The program is being held at the offices of the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner, 669 County Square Drive in Ventura, and begins at 8:00 a.m.  Mr. Mathews will begin his remarks at 10:30 a.m.

John Mathews focuses his practice on serving as a general counsel to private and public individuals and entities that provide water and waste water services.

Only the fourth of its kind in the world, the facility promises to provide a sustainable source of water for farmers in Ventura County.  The Ventura County Star contacted Mathews for comment on the potential costs to farmers in the area who would use the facililty as a source of water.

The entire article can be found here.

The issue in the case stems from the diversion of water away from the Robles-Casitas canal and toward a fish ladder constructed by Casitas. The construction of the fish ladder was required under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The central question in the suit is whether the diversion constitutes a regulatory taking — for which no compensation would be given to Casitas — or physical taking that requires compensation to Casitas for the value of the loss of the water. The water, if it were not diverted to the fish ladder, would be diverted into Lake Casitas for uses by the constituents of Casitas.

Mr. Mathews explained to the Board that the judge must first determine whether a physical taking occurred and, if so, what is the value of the loss to Casitas. Casitas and the federal government have each presented different models to calculate the value of the water “loss” by Casitas, if indeed any loss is found to have occurred.

The case is being watched closely by water purveyors throughout the United States. The settling of this constitutional question could affect water districts all over the country. A decision is expected sometime later this year.

AgVision sets forth twelve strategies for sustaining California Agriculture. The report represents the culmination of a two-year effort by CDFA to work with agricultural, environmental, and governmental leaders (as well as a diverse range of other stakeholders) to identify obstacles to sustainable agriculture in California. 

The Water Issues Committee of Ventura County is comprised of members of the Associated Water Agencies of Ventura County (“AWA”). AWA’s mission is “to develop and encourage cooperation among the entities for the development, protection, conservation and improvement of the total water resources for Ventura County.”

United Water Conservation District created the award in 1997 to recognize leaders in the area of water conservation, and named it after Richard V. Laubacher, a longtime United Director and a leader in water issues in Ventura County. The award is voted upon by United’s seven-member Board of Directors.

In presenting the award, United’s General Manager, Michael Solomon, noted that Mr. Mathews’ unique combination of knowledge and integrity has, for the past thirty-five years, fostered an atmosphere of cooperation and trust among those who shape water policy in Ventura County.

Throughout his career, Mr. Mathews has been instrumental in developing innovative water quality programs and water conservation policies designed to preserve and enhance Ventura County’s surface and groundwater supplies. Mr. Mathews currently serves as general counsel to numerous special districts, including Pleasant Valley County Water District, Casitas Municipal Water District and Triunfo Sanitation District. He also represents many agricultural landowners throughout Ventura County and facilitates the Oxnard Plains Users Group effort to investigate and develop recycled water for agricultural use.

OPUG was established by the United Water Conservation District, the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency, and the Pleasant Valley County Water District to address groundwater issues on the Oxnard Plain, and to discuss possibilities of developing new water sources.

At the last OPUG meeting, stakeholders discussed alternatives and options for addressing the groundwater overdraft issues facing the Oxnard Plain. The stakeholders considered 12 potential options, including expanded utilization of recycled water, construction of groundwater injection wells, and expansion of additional surface water delivery facilities into the southeast Oxnard Plain. Each of the options was presented and discussed among the approximately 70 stakeholders in attendance.

This OPUG meeting will outline potential costs, including capital outlays for each of the 12 options, and the hope is that, after the stakeholders review the cost parameters for each option, the options can be narrowed down to 3 or 4. The group will then spend additional time and effort on the feasibility of each option, including such things as regulatory, environmental and intergovernmental issues, which can be detailed and then presented at a following OPUG meeting.

Watch this spot for more information about future OPUG meetings.