State and Federal Water Agencies Seek to Kill the Delta by a Thousand Little Cuts

State and Federal Water Agencies Seek to Kill the Delta by a Thousand Little Cuts

Last week, Restore the Delta reported on the State Water Resources Control Boards unilateral decision to maximize pumping in July, 2008, while delaying public comments regarding their until January, 2009. This past scenario reads like an administrative hiccup compared to current efforts to bypass laws regarding Delta water quality standards.

As writer and editor Dan Bacher explains in a recent article, "DWR and the Bureau are asking the California Water Resources Control Board to temporarily suspend the standards in an effort to protect one endangered species, Central Valley chinook salmon, over the imperiled Delta smelt and longfin smelt. The agencies claim they are trying to "save" water in Central Valley reservoirs for salmon later this year - when it is in fact their pumping of massive amounts of water to Westlands Water District and the Kern Water Bank over the past years that have led to the extremely low conditions of Shasta, Oroville and Folsom lakes."

In his article, Mr. Bacher quotes Bill Jennings, Executive Director of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, in his assessment of of water mismanagement by the State Water Resources Control Board, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of Water Resources. According to Mr. Jennings, "Over the last several years, CSPA has repeatedly cautioned the State Water Board that DWR and the Bureau were cannibalizing storage from Northern California Reservoirs without regard for the likelihood of successive dry years. We urged the State Water Board to proactively pursue actions that would ensure that threatened and endangered species would not bear the consequences of gross mismanagement by DWR and the Bureau. The state and federal projects are required to operate on a multi- year timeline regarding temporary relaxation of the February Delta Outflow and the San Joaquin River Flow Objectives in response to current dry conditions.'"

Consequently Restore the Delta is joining with fishing and environmental groups, as well as Delta water agencies, in attending a public hearing in Sacramento on February 17, 2009. The hearing will review a proposal by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to relax freshwater flow standards on the California Delta in February. We believe that such a relaxation of standards could set a bad precedent regarding future exports as state and federal agencies seek to take a little more water here a little more there. We are strongly encouraging our supporters to attend.

To learn more about the public notice and other information regarding the February 17th click here, http://www.waterrights.ca.gov/Hearings/emergency_drought.html




Don't Delay Registering for the Delta Symposium: Seats are Filling Quickly!


Restore the Delta has worked to create an event through which the people of the Delta can begin articulating their vision for the Delta's future. While a few panels will be informational (with very current information), there will also be opportunities for individuals to become involved in helping to articulate what we want for Delta fisheries and Delta communities. We also want to remind Delta landowners that there will be a special workshop for them on eminent domain issues during the afternoon portion of the event.

We are honored that Congressman George Miller will be our morning keynote speaker, and equally enthused that Congressman Jerry McNerney has agreed to be our lunchtime keynote. Both local leaders have been busy advocating for the Delta in recent months. We appreciate their efforts (and the work of their staff members) on behalf of the estuary and local people.

To see further program details and to register for this event click here, http://www.restorethedelta.org/symposium.php



Restore the Delta is working everyday through public education and citizen activism to ensure the restoration and future sustainability of the California Delta. Your general contribution can help us sponsor outreach events, enable us to educate Californians on what makes the Delta so special, and assist us in building a coalition that will be recognized by government water agencies as they make water management decisions.
Restore the Delta is a charitable 501(c)3 organization. Donations are tax deductible.