Fishing, farming, and environmental groups attended a packed Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board meeting on June 23 to oppose a controversial action that would allow for the continuing decimation of Central Valley rivers and the already imperiled Sacramento Delta. Despite the huge showing of opposition, the Board voted to allow a 5 year extension of waivers that allow for agricultural operations to pollute the waterways of already damaged ecosystems in the Valley.

A strongly worded letter from a coalition of over 130 groups was delivered to the Council to oppose the measure, and nearly 80 people holding signs held a rally outside of the meeting room before they went in to testify about the impact of toxics on fish and other aquatic life, ground water and the health of rural communities. Opponents of the measure were given limited relief when the board introduced a minimal amount of accountability by requiring groups that supposedly monitor the pollution to maintain membership lists. Delta In Crisis | Read More