Oak researchers gather to talk drought

• “The drought will be a major focus of the symposium.”
• This year’s symposium marks the first time the oak-information event is being held in the Central Valley.
• Visalia residents can only water once a week until the end of the year.

Researchers from around the state, the Pacific Northwest, Spain and South Korea are expected to attend the 7th California Oak Symposium scheduled from Monday through Thursday in Visalia.

Drought and the availability of water will be a discussion topic.

“The drought will be a major focus of the symposium,” said Rick Standiford, symposium coordinator. “We will also have cutting edge research and policy presentations on sudden oak death, gold-spotted oak borer and conifer encroachment in black and Garry oak woodlands, among much more.”

Standiford is a UC Cooperative Extension forest management specialist based at UC Berkeley.

This year’s symposium marks the first time the oak-information event is being held in the Central Valley in 35 years. The symposium is scheduled every five to seven years. Most recently, the symposium was held in Rohnert Park in 2006.

Organizers said Visalia was picked to host the symposium because of its geographic location and the city’s commitment to the preservation and protection of native oak trees.

On Monday, the symposium kicks off with a group of researchers touring the Visalia urban oak forest, while a second group visits the Kaweah Oak Preserve and Dry Creek Preserved.

Later on the week, researchers will present 58 research papers on oak management, wildlife, ecosystem, services, ranching and utilization, gold-spotted oak borer, oak restoration and sudden oak death.

Information: 240-9850 or jewarnert@ucanr.edu.

Watering schedule change for Visalia

Starting Saturday, the outdoor watering schedule changes again in Visalia.

Residents can only water once a week until the end of the year. During January and February, outdoor watering is not allowed.

With cooler temperatures, outdoor watering can be reduced.

Washing of cars, trucks, trailers, boats and airplanes is limited to designated watering days. Those washing the vehicles must use a hose equipped with a shutoff nozzle for quick rinses.

Online: http://vtd-tar.co/1ruJDub.

Tulare County drought update

The Tulare County Office of Emergency Services reports 732 private wells failures, an increase of 207 from the previous numbers.

While concentrated near Porterville, the well failures are also reported near Tulare and Visalia.

The OES is also reporting 291 families have been approved for the Bottled Drinking Water Program, an increase from 38 from the last reported instance. Those number were released last week, the latest numbers available.

On a weekly basis, the OES, compiling information from other agencies, releases statistics the effects of the drought.

Other numbers:

• 163: Clientele the Tulare County's Health and Human Services Agency has identified as affected by the drought. It is an ncrease of four, with nine applications pending.

• 1,519: Drilling permits approved, an increase of 43.

• 357: Number of rental assistance services.

• 156: Number of Utility Payment Services.

• 237: Number of employees laid off or whose hours were cut because of drought. An increase of 15.

• 3,528: Food relief packages FoodLink has distributed. An increase of 557.