| Jones Pumping Plant dedication |
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| Tuesday, 29 May 2007 | |
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A dedication ceremony featuring state and federal water officials officially marks the new
name of the C.W. "Bill" Jones Pumping Plant.
Jones Pumping Plant Added to Water Facilities California officially added a new name to its list of water facilities with the dedication this morning of the C.W. "Bill" Jones Pumping Plant near Byron. Formerly known as the Tracy Pumping Plant, the facility delivers water to the Delta-Mendota Canal from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Secretary Mike Chrisman of the California Resources Agency emceed the event and noted the contributions of Mr. Jones, 1918-2003, who was appointed to the California State Water Commission by then-Governor Ronald Reagan in 1968. Mr. Jones served as president of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SL&DMWA) for 20 years. He also served as president of the Firebaugh Resource Conservation District, Las Deltas Mutual Water Company, Silver Creek Drainage District and vice president of the Firebaugh Canal Water District. Former California Secretary of State Bill Jones, son of the honoree, joined with Chrisman and Frances Mizuno, SL&DMWA assistant executive director, in unveiling a bronze plaque that will be mounted in the control room of the pumping plant. A larger plaque will be erected inside the Jones Pumping Plant facility. "We're still talking about water," said Jones told the crowd after the unveiling. "My father, along with other water leaders such as Jack Chrisman, was constantly talking about water. I recognize that it was a challenge for the legislation authorizing the name change to move through Congress and I especially want to thank Rep. Nunes for his efforts." "My dad always found a way to make it work when it came to solving a water issue," Jones added. "Today, that doesn't always work because sometimes there are groups who do not want to make it work. Our challenge is to provide the water needed for the next generation." Jones characterized his father as "one of several leaders who came out of a Depression and had seen the effects of the Dustbowl. They knew how critical water was to people." More Dos Palos Sun, Firebaugh-Mendota Journal, Fresno Bee, Gustine Press Standard, Los Banos Enterprise, Madera Tribune, Merced Sun Star, Modesto Bee, Patterson Irrigator, Tracy Press. "When we run out of water in California," he added, "there are no alternatives. There needs to be more interest in what we leave behind for the next generation." Jones pointed out that his father believed in the important service provided by local water districts in explaining the many years of service his father contributed to various groups. "The local water district is critical to California's water future," he said. SL&DMWA Chairman Mike Stearns recalled a meeting of westside farmers 30 years ago for the purpose of forming an organization of all water districts south of the Delta with federal Central Valley Project contracts. "The purpose of the organization was to act as a forum for water users to share information and to unite their efforts," said Stearns. "They formed the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Users Association and their first action item was to elect Bill Jones as the Chairman of the Board." Stearns explained that the Bureau of Reclamation "was looking for partners and alternatives for operating and maintaining their facilities" at the Tracy Pumping Plant. "Bill recognized that no one had more incentive to make sure that the facilities were reliably and efficiently maintained than the contractors and led an effort to take over the operation and maintenance of the facilities," recalled Stearns. "The Water Authority has effectively operated and maintained those facilities since 1992 through a good, close partnership with the Bureau." Today, those facilities officially bear the name of The C.W. "Bill" Jones Pumping Plant. |
Newsflash
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The California Farm Water Coalition has produced a 60 second video advertisement that discusses the need to fix California's ailing water supply system. The need has never been greater for the availability of adequate and dependable water supplies to grow safe, healthy and affordable food and fiber products. California agriculture supplies California, much of the United States and the world with fresh produce as well as beef, dairy, grain and fiber products. As water supplies continue to dwindle due to regulatory actions and drought, California farmers and the State's economy will suffer. It's time to call on elected leaders to fix the state's water supply system. Decades have passed since any new state projects have been built and with a growing population, the need for new water supplies is critical. View the 60 second video ad here: |
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