California’s wine industry praised a new trade pact between the United States and South Korea, saying it would open doors to a promising wine market. The trade deal is America’s biggest free-trade agreement since the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico.

Wine grape growers and environmental groups are both applauding the approval of what supporters are calling a streamlined application process that would allow vineyard and orchard operators to establish off-stream water storage ponds without waiting years for state approval. Currently, applications to establish off-stream water storage ponds are considered on a case-by-case basis and can take years to get through the State Water Resources Control Board process.