Water Conservation Proposal Discussed

A proposal that would penalize farmers and growers for excessive use of water and encourage efficient irrigation drew a mixed response at a public hearing Thursday.

The ordinance, proposed for 1992 by the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency, also reduces allotments to customers, now based on past usage, by 5%. The measure is designed to reduce by 25% the water taken from underground sources through much of central Ventura County by 2015.

The agency regulates the use of 150,000 acre-feet of ground water annually. The water is used by water companies and cities within a 185-square mile region of the county. Farmers use about 70% of the agency’s water.

John Crowley, head of the agency, said at a hearing Thursday at the county government center that the measure would achieve that reduction in stages over 23 years.

“I would definitely call this a conservation measure,” Ventura County hydrologist Rick Farnsworth said. “This will have the biggest impact on the growers.”

Rewards would be available to growers who can demonstrate an irrigation efficiency of 80% or better.

But farmers who use more than their predetermined allotments would incur penalties and be forced to pay as much as $200 for exceeding quotas by 15%.

“One of the main purposes of this ordinance is to show that farming is a business,” said Len Maulhardt, agency chairman.

“Growers need to make a decision whether to invest in better irrigation methods or to pay the stiff penalties. If they’re having a hard time growing celery at 80% efficiency, then they can either rotate two crops instead of three or move to dry beans for a period of time.”

Some attending the hearing praised the proposal. Others questioned whether the conservation measures would be fairly applied districtwide.

Another public hearing is scheduled for March 23.