Delta
Delta smelt numbers rise in recent survey catch
Story
From LA Times - Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011
Coalition response...Biologists explained months ago that weather conditions experienced this year were resulting in higher fish numbers. These conditions were the result of Mother Nature and impacts that created improved habitat and food supply. Add to these effects the operational guidelines developed by public water agencies to protect fish in the Delta and you begin to get a clearer picture that there are multiple factors at work that resulted in an improved ecosystem and higher water deliveries.
The high flows certainly helped the ecosystem and even increased the amount of water delivered through the Delta to 25 million Californians and to efforts to grow our food supply. Yet, environmental regulations still kept these deliveries at less than the amount called for in contracts. Duplicating the weather conditions we have experienced this year is not possible through the combined operation of the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project. That emphasizes the need to move forward with updating our water infrastructure by increasing storage facilities and improving conveyance.
Small fish with big impact rebounds, easing fears of extinction
Story
From Contra Costa Times - Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011
From SJ Mercury News - Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011
Coalition response...The higher fish number is good news. This year's weather conditions played a major role in this population rebound and so did operational guidelines governing turbidity that were developed by public water agencies. The resulting higher flows benefited fish and allowed increased water deliveries through the Delta for food production and to supply the needs of 25 million Californians. Continuing these positive results will require a cooperative effort by all water users and the willingness to look to improved science rather than relying on guidelines that, even in a water year that we just experienced, continue to restrict water deliveries.
Delta fish populations rebound, vindicating DOI scientists
Blog
By Doug Obegi
From NRDC - Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011
Coalition response...The high fish numbers detected during the trawl is no surprise. Months ago when individuals and groups were claiming the Delta pumps were killing millions of fish, biologists explained that the pump salvage was not unexpected because the weather conditions were producing the higher populations. Despite the claims of pushing certain fish species to extinction because of the pumps, the opposite has taken place.
Any attempt to portray X2 as a vindication of two federal scientists who were recently chastised by a federal judge is a fallacy. The scientists testified that Fall X2 needed to be moved in order to provide a greater habitat for fish. The judge rejected their testimony and declined to order the shifting of Fall X2. Contrary to the federal scientists, Fall X2 was not moved and the fish populations have rebounded.
As explained by biologists months ago, weather conditions experienced this year resulted in higher fish numbers. These conditions were the result of Mother Nature and the combined operation of the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project cannot duplicate these conditions.
Water quality
EPA puts Tuolumne, Stanislaus on list of polluted waterways
Story
From Union Democrat - Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011
Coalition response...While the EPA was complying with the Clean Water Act in developing this list, it was also acknowledging the successful effort of farmers, public water agencies and others to halt the flow of selenium and other naturally occurring minerals from reaching the San Joaquin River. The Grasslands Bypass Project was established in 1996 for an area south of Los Banos in which a cooperative effort proved successful in reducing the selenium runoff by 87% from 1995 to 2010. During that same time the reduction of drainage water was dropped by 75%. The Grassland Bypass Project was termed a "success story" by EPA's Region 9 office in a two-page report posted on the EPA's website. Read the report at http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/success319/ca_san.cfm.
DELTA
Delta smelt regs vindicated? Not so fast, my friend!
Blog
By Brandon Middleton
From Pacifc Legal Foundation - Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011
WATER SUPPLY
California may see changes to pricey water bond
Story
From Reuters - Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011
Celebratory water conference on tap
Story
From Bakersfield Californian - Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011
FISHERIES
Salmon numbers in river rising
Story
From Oroville Mercury-Register - Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011
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