Monday, September 19, 2011

News articles and links from Sept.19, 2011

Delta

Report on SF Bay details progress, problems

Story

From SF Chronicle - Monday, Sept. 19 2011

New report: SF Bay getting healthier, not in the clear yet

Story

From San Jose Mercury News - Monday, Sept. 19, 2011

From Contra Costa Times - Monday, Sept. 19, 2011

Scientists say San Francisco Bay is healthier

TV news

From CBS 47/Fresno - Monday, Sept. 19, 2011

(The following response is posted to the above news stories.)

Coalition response...It is not surprising that critics of water flowing through the Delta that is delivered to farmers and 25 million Californians would claim that diversions are a serious problem for the SF Bay. DWR historical records prove that prior to the State and federal water supply systems, salt water intrusion in the Delta occurred as far inland as Walnut Grove in 1931. A sugar refinery in Crockett, located along the southern edge of the Carquinez Strait leading into the Delta, was forced in the 1920s to send barges 28 miles into the Delta to obtain fresh water for its operation. That need no longer exists because of the operations of the State and federal water projects. Blaming diversions for salinity encroachment into the Delta is lacking in facts.

Specific plan needed to protect Delta, deliver water to users

Editorial/Slideshow

From Contra Costa Times - Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011

From The Oakland Tribune - Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011

Coalition response...While this editorial provides some very thoughtful positions, it falls victim to the myth that California farmers use 80% of the water in our state. Whether intentional or not, this statement misleads the public into thinking that agriculture's share is the majority of all of the water in the state. It is not. A greater amount than the amount of water farmers use to grow food is dedicated for specific environmental purposes.

This statement purposely ignores the environmental water that has been so designated through governmental laws and regulations. For example, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act took 800,000 acre-feet of water away from farms, homes and businesses and rededicated it to the environment. If that water was counted when it was producing food how can it be ignored when it is reallocated to the environment? It doesn't make sense. The Department of Water Resources identifies water use in California during a normal year as environmental, 48%, agriculture, 41% and urban, 11%.

Delta water plan could worsen poison in S.F. Bay

Story

From The Record - Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011

(The following response was posted Friday to other stories regarding this same story.)

Coalition response...This selenium question is not new to those involved in the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, as indicated by spokeswoman Karla Nemeth. The analysis by BDCP researchers is moving forward and is expected to provide science-based answers rather than to raise unanswered questions by jumping to conclusions or providing less than full disclosure. The full story regarding the BDCP study reviewed by government scientists last year is that the study was interim and already under revision when the scientists conducted their review. During a press conference by members of the scientific review panel, they acknowledge that the study was undergoing an updating. Understanding the full circumstances surrounding the review of the BDCP study is important, just as allowing the BDCP analysis to continue to completion.

The "dramatic reductions" in selenium discharged from farm fields into the Delta is significant and needs full disclosure. The 100,000 acres in the Grassland Drainage Area south of Dos Palos has been underway for years as a cooperative effort by farmers, public water agencies and State and federal agencies. From 1995 to 2010, selenium discharges have plummeted 87%. Salt and boron discharges have also dropped, 72% and 64% respectively.

WATER SUPPLY

Wasting Stanislaus water: Down the river it will go and out to sea

Commentary

By Dennis Wyatt

From Manteca Bulletin - Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011

Water: Why 'the Rubik's Cube of Public Policy' misses the point

Blog

By John Fleck

From Inkstain - Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011

TCCA files appeal for water rights

Story

From Corning Observer - Friday, Sept. 16, 2011

From Appeal Democrat - Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011

Resolution proposed in Tulelake Irrigation District case

Story

From Siskiyou Daily News - Friday, Sept. 16, 2011

DELTA

Delta water talk Tuesday in Concord

Story

From Contra Costa Times - Friday, Sept. 16, 2011

COURTS

Wanger denies feds' X2 stay request

Story

From ACWA - Friday, Sept. 16, 2011

X2 stay request denied; court finds feds to have engaged in "bad faith"

Blog

By Brandon Middleton

From Pacific Legal Foundation - Friday, Sept. 16, 2011

Court denies "Fall X2" motions and finds agency bad faith

Blog

From KMTG - Friday, Sept. 16, 2011

FISHERIES

Uncle Sam: Destory fish to save them

Story

From Manteca Bulletin - Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011

NOAA fisheries scientists work to bring back a historic salmon run in Southern California

Story

From NMFS - Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011

SALTON SEA

Step up efforts to save the Salton Sea

Editorial

From Desert Sun - Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011

Perez to set sights on Salton Sea in new year

Story

From Desert Sun - Friday, Sept. 16, 2011

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