The annual shutdown is carried out for necessary water canal maintenance purposes but also threatens to leave many rice clubs, as well as parts of the Sacramento NWR Complex, without water during last few weeks of duck season and the February junior hunt. In addition, it can result in less than optimal habitat conditions for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife.

While the GCID Board was sympathetic to our request and the shutoff's impact on hunting opportunity, it ultimately decided to keep the January 8 date for 2012 because of other considerations.

Hunters with clubs within GCID should be aware of the possibility of lower water levels in their fields in late January and early February, and are urged to communicate this issue to farmers and other landowners within GCID.