NGA Water Report- August 2002

Mike Proffitt, El Modeno Gardens … Water committee chair

Wow, what a spring it has been! I do hope everyone has had a very good and profitable year so far. Since the last report there has been quit a bit happening concerning water. Both the Pavley and Brulte Bills that had been in congressional committee hearings have both been tabled until 2003. This is due to the current state budget crunch. However, it is still felt that one or both will be back this coming year. We are looking at how each would impact our industry and working with other nursery groups and outside industry to show our strength in opposing these bills.

A new concern has also surfaced from the MWD. They are sponsoring a move to change the "long term market dynamics" of the southern California home landscape. MWD feels people should be looking at the natural native landscape and trying to match it. The overall goal is to lower water usage. Both Jim Hessler and Gary Hayakawa attended their meeting as representatives of the nursery industry.

Points made to MWD were as follows:

A) To focus more on the overall water management in all areas where they already have scientific data to back up potential savings.

B) Is it an appropriate use of MWD resources to promote specific products where there is no evidence that it will result in water savings?

C) Could promoting the exclusive use of natives result in a devastinating fire as was near Santa Barbara 10 years ago and then become a liability issue?

D) Could changing the landscape on hillside slopes to native vegetation result in increased water run off and non point source pollution?

Both bills deal with lowering the ET rating from .8 to .6. It is NGA's position that neither bill is acceptable and we want to be proactive in defeating these or any such water bills in the future. Thus we are contacting other nursery groups to contest these bills. The C.A.N. along with the Council for a Green Environment, the Farm Bureau, and CLCA all are being contacted to ask for their support in defeating these two legislative items.

As this was the first meeting held there were no end results but it was felt that our concerns were heard very clearly. Thanks to both Jim and Gary.

As mentioned in the May report several local mountain cities were discussing water rationing. Many of these discussions have now stopped and actions have started. The city of Wrightwood is now trucking water into their area for local use. We need some rain this winter!

Please always remember your comment and questions are always welcome.

Mike Proffitt