Financing the Delta Plan – Agriculture and the Friant Conundrum
Blog
By Barry Nelson, NRDC
From NRDC – Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Coalition response...I am amazed at the assumptions included in this article, beginning with an unstated reference for the cost of a Delta conveyance facility. To my knowledge there have only been estimates and no one has come forth with a final cost estimate. As I’ve responded before, a new-home builder does not get a construction loan before the blueprints are finished. The same applies with Delta conveyance. The final cost may be higher or lower. Speculation of costs at this point is just that...speculation. That aside, the cost for Class I water to Friant farmers at “lower than $14 per acre-foot” does not appear to include other costs that farmers must pay, such as operation and maintenance of the Friant system. It’s important to use accurate numbers when considering future costs, even when those costs are rife with speculation.
Please note, the Exchange Contractors did not give up the San Joaquin water supply, they agreed not to exercise their rights if they were provided substitute water. Additionally, the Exchange Contractors did not insist that Friant pay for delivery of their water, they just weren't going to pay for the benefits of other parties, including the United States. Friant agreed to pay O&M costs for delivery of their water when the major CVP canal systems, Tehama Colusa, Delta Mendota, Madera and Friant-Kern Canals became self-funded by the TCCA, SLDMWA, MCWPA and FWA, respectively.
We have been focusing on the BDCP and the water supply aspects and costs. Payment for the conveyance feature will need to be negotiated and will need to take into account water supply risks/and benefits in cost allocation and those costs will then need to be reviewed by the various water users to determine viability and affordability.
Federal government forecasts larger abundance of Sacramento salmon
Blog
By Dan Bacher
From IndyBay Media – Thursday, May 3, 2011
Coalition response...The National Science Panel identifies over 20 stressors to the Delta and its fisheries and yet this writer lists only four factors causing the fishery decline. He conveniently leaves out predatory fish and loss of habitat in the ocean as causes of the decline. Emerging science points to ocean conditions, water quality, predation and loss of in-Delta habitat as a much bigger influence on the health of pelagic fish species. Water has been shifted from farms, homes, and businesses for 20 years in an attempt to resolve environmental problems in the Delta and it hasn’t worked. Isn’t it time to admit that this misguided approach was wrong and move on to something that might actually help improve the Delta’s ecosystem and water supply reliability for the rest of us?
Delta Agreement to “Protect Listed Species” or another Ploy to Export More Water
Blog
By Patrick Porgans, Planetary Solutionaries
From IndyBay Media – Friday, March 4, 2011
Coalition response...The negotiated agreement is a result of an earlier court ruling that declared the biological opinions governing the pumping flows from the Delta failed in protecting people and needed to be rewritten. That rewrite has yet to be accomplished and the negotiated agreement provides some stability to Delta pumping operations on an interim basis for the next four months. Operation of the pumps without the agreement would most likely have caused continued court action and uncertainty. The interim agreement provides a bridge to a more appropriate reformulation of the biological opinions. Pumping restrictions must justify an actual environmental benefit, so allegations that water contractors are making the decisions on any restrictions are inaccurate. Furthermore, there have been six times the number of Delta smelt allowed to be taken (killed) for research than the number allowed to be taken by the pumps under the Delta smelt biological opinion.
WATER SUPPLY
Sugaring Up the Already Sweet Deal of the Sacramento River Settlement Contractors...
Blog
By Kate Poole, NRDC
From NRDC – Thursday, March 3, 2011
Bechtel and Packard funded report greenwashes the peripheral canal
Blog
By Dan Bacher
From IndyBay Media – Thursday, May 3, 2011
Story
From Sacramento Bee – Friday, March 4, 2011
GROUNDWATER
Delta Watch: Recharging the conversation on groundwater
Blog
By Delta Watch
From Aquafornia – Friday, March 4, 2011
DELTA
Brown administration pushing ahead with Sacramento-San Joaquin delta plans
Story
From LA Times Greenspace – Thursday, March 3, 2011
Letter
From Contra Costa Times – Friday, March 4, 2011
Delta Conservancy names first executive officer
Story
From Central Valley Business Times – Thursday, March 3, 2011
FISHERIES
Details released on $100K dam study
Story
From The Union – Thursday, March 3, 2011
TRANSFERS
Groundwater transfer rules outlined by commission
Story
From Chico Enterprise-Record – Friday, March 4, 2011
CONGRESS
Congressman McClintock speaks on Klamath, delta issues to House
Story
From Siskiyou Daily News – Thursday, March 3, 2011
COURTS
Story
From Capital Press – Thursday, March 3, 2011
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