California plans to limit water for frost protection

California's State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has put forward a proposal to restrict the use of water in vineyards to protect against frost. The plans would affect wineries in Sonoma and Mendocino counties and according to a report by Williams Selyem winery could cost the local economy up to US$2bn a year. The report assesses the ‘significant’ loss of business income and calculates that up to 8,000 jobs could go if vineyards are damaged by frost. Wineries would be forced to invest in more expensive and less effective means of protecting their vines.

The SWRCB drew up the plans after two instances where fish were reportedly stranded by reduced water levels when vineyard owners started pumping water for frost protection.