Groups criticize California work plan for water bond storage projects

Groups criticize California work plan for water bond storage projects

by Dan Bacher

The California voters in November passed Proposition 1, Governor Jerry Brown's water grab for corporations, based on a massive disinformation campaign funded by agribusiness, the oil industry, Big Tobacco, the health care industry, the Nature Conservancy and other corporate "environmental" NGOs, and greedy billionaires.

The corporate interests outspent the huge coalition of grassroots conservation groups, family farmers, recreational and commercial fishing families, environmental justice organizations and the Winnemem Wintu, Hoopa Valley, Concow Maidu and Yurok Tribes that opposed the water bond by a ratio of 164 to 1. Brown's Proposition 1 and 2 campaigns spent over $16.4 million while Prop. 1 opponents spent about $100,000. (https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/11/05/18763818.php)

Now that the election battle over the water bond is over, Delta and public trust advocates are beginning to challenge how the water bond money will be spent. The conflict over water bond spending amped up when Restore the Delta and the Environmental Water Caucus submitted a letter to the California Water Commission at its January 21 meeting criticizing the "work plan" implementing the water bond's Chapter 8 while Commission chair Joe Byrne issued a statement touting the "benefits" of the bond's water storage projects.

Chapter 8 appropriates $2.7 billion to the commission for "public benefits associated with water storage projects that improve the operation of the state water system, are cost effective, and provide a net improvement in ecosystem and water quality conditions, in accordance with this chapter."

“In approving the water bond, California voters have entrusted this Commission with a huge responsibility and it is one that we do not take lightly," claimed Byrne. "We are committed to developing an investment program that will improve the health of our water management system and yield far-reaching public benefits for all Californians."

"The importance of the public benefits associated with water storage projects cannot be overstated," he said. "We look forward to a thorough and thoughtful public process – guided by significant stakeholder input and collaboration – to determine how to best invest in multi-purpose projects that provide these critical benefits."

"The bond calls for this funding to begin at the end of 2016. Between now and then, we are absolutely committed to creating a program that will result in great water projects, is mindful of the public’s trust that we spend this money efficiently and benefits our state, its people, and our environment," Byrne claimed.

In response, Restore the Delta and the Environmental Water Caucus told the Commission that the Commission's work plan for the regulations and guidelines for implementing Chapter 8 of the water bond is "too narrow" for eligible projects. They also said the Commission should prioritize storage projects that do not require new surface water rights, and should prioritize sustainable water projects.

Tim Stroshane, representing both the Environmental Water Caucus and Restore the Delta, told the Commission:

"We think that so far you’re interpreting Chapter 8 of the water bond law too narrowly when it comes to project eligibility.

“Since 2011 the Commission has been hearing from agencies advocating 20th century approaches to water storage, like many of the CalFED Surface Storage Investigation projects. The task before you is to make sure California gets 21st century solutions to storage problems, which are sustainable, cost effective, and reasonable methods for using water.

“We think you also need to make sure agencies and people who submit proposals are aware of the overall water policy framework in California by describing that framework in the regulations and, especially the guidelines you draft. Our letter describes the important policies we think your commission should use.

“We urge you to avoid worsening the over-appropriation of water by prioritizing storage projects that do not require new surface water rights, particularly in the Central Valley.

“Existing consumptive surface water rights up and down the Central Valley are over five times the average runoff in the region. Approving new storage projects that need new water right claims will only worsen this situation, and further inflame water conflicts.

“We urge you to avoid approving costly storage investments that will result in poor yields. Our apparently drying climate may result in less reliable surface water storage. These funds are scarce, please grant them wisely.

“The Commission has discretion to write regulations and guidelines that prioritize sustainable and cost-effective approaches to water storage in California.

“There are better solutions than enlarging and building more dams in the state and federal water systems. Chapter 8 may say CalFED Surface Storage Investigation and conjunctive use projects are eligible.

“But the Commission must also ensure that projects it funds really solve the water problems for all of California, not just those of the state and federal water contractors, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of Water Resources. You are stewards of these funds, and you must follow state water policy.

“You need to ensure that the guidelines and regulations will get the people of California real public benefits from storage projects for ecosystems, water quality, and recreation, and are not gamed or inflated to simply win funding.

“We urge the Commission to make the process of writing and approving regulations and guidelines as transparent as possible for everyone involved.

“Everyone commenting on each step of the process should have access not only to Commission documents but to the comments of everyone involved. This will encourage meaningful debate and result in a better overall product at the end of your process."

You can bet that the funders of Governor Jerry Brown's water bond campaign, including corporate agribusiness, oil companies, Big Tobacco, health insurance companies, and billionaires like Stewart Resnick of Paramount Farms, Sean Parker and the Fisher Family, will do everything they can to steer water bond money to fund projects that will benefit their narrow corporate interests and advance their campaign to privatize water and other public trust resources.

Governor Jerry Brown continues to rush the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) to build the peripheral tunnels, the most costly and most environmentally destructive public works project in California history. The $67 billion fiasco will hasten the extinction of Central Valley salmon, Delta and longfin smelt, green sturgeon and the southern resident population of killer whales, as well as imperil the salmon and steelhead populations on the Trinity and Klamath rivers.

Restore the Delta (RTD) opposes Governor Brown’s plan to build Peripheral Tunnels that would drain the Delta and doom salmon and other Pacific fisheries. RTD is a 15,000-member grassroots organization committed to making the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta fishable, swimmable, drinkable, and farmable to benefit all of California. Restore the Delta works to improve water quality so that fisheries and farming can thrive together again in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

For more information, go to: http://www.restorethedelta.org