Tuesday, May 31, 2011

News articles and links from May 31, 2011

Groundwater Depletion is Detected From Space

Story

From NY Times – Monday, May 30, 2011

Coalition response...Reports of dropping groundwater levels is not surprising when one considers the relationship between the San Joaquin Valley and State and federal projects supplying water to the region. These projects were encouraged in order to halt the dropping groundwater levels of years ago. Recent droughts and governmental regulations preventing water from flowing to the area forced farmers to turn to groundwater to save their crops. This unreliability emphasizes the need for improved conveyance to move available water to areas of need.

WATER SUPPLY

West side farming making a comeback

Story

From Modesto Bee – Monday, May 30, 2011

Jim Thebaut Opines on Education and Water Scarcity, Climate Change, and More

Blog

By Jim Thebaut

From WaterWired – Tuesday, May 31, 2011

WEATHER

Flood Threat in West Grows

Blog

By Ken Clark

From AccuWeather – Monday, May 30, 2011

June gloom could persist well into California summer

Story

From Western Farm Press – Tuesday, May 31, 2011

RIVERS

Wildlife corridor---possible expansion of S.J. River refuge

Story

From The Record – Tuesday, May 31, 2011

SALTON SEA

State cuts are both good and bad for the Salton Sea

Story

From IV Press – Sunday, May 29, 2011

CONGRESS

Letter to NR Committee, RE Hr 1837

Letter

By Rep. Dennis Cardoza

From Scribd – Tuesday, May 31, 2011

HR 1837 and the Death of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan

Blog

By Kate Poole

From NRDC – Sunday, May 29, 2011

Friday, May 27, 2011

News articles and links from May 27, 2011

California Water Regulators Propose Exemptions from Farm Water Measurement Law

Blog

By Ed Osann

From NRDC – Thursday, May 26, 2011

Coalition response...It is disappointing to read Ed’s assessment of DWR’s proposed regulation governing agricultural water measurement. Over the past year ag water suppliers, university experts, environmentalists and professional engineers discussed the range of options DWR is considering to meet the requirements of SBx7-7. Ed participated in these meetings. Every one of Ed’s concerns was discussed and the result is a regulation that contains practical solutions to improved water measurement and volumetric pricing, not exemptions or a watered-down version of the law. The draft measurement regulation is far from the “status quo” on agricultural water measurement. It is a solid step forward and will demonstrate its effectiveness in the coming years, despite this unfounded criticism.

I would like to publicly invite Ed before the next California Water Commission Meeting to visit with me one or two of the irrigation districts that are already successfully meeting the requirements of the law and see how their achievements can be replicated in districts not yet in compliance.

WATER SUPPLY

Water solution flows easily at Lake McClure

Letter

From Merced Sun-Star – Fiday, May 27, 2011

Should California have a Water Czar?

Blog

By Mark Lubell

From UCD Center for Environmental Policy and Behavior – Friday, May 20, 2011

DELTA

Assembly OKs bill on sale of Sacramento’s treated wastewater

Story

From Sacramento Bee – Thursday, May 26, 2011

More Delta hyperbole

Blog

By Damien M. Schiff

From Pacific Legal Foundation – Thursday, May 26, 2011

RIVERS

SJ River draft EIS: ‘War and Peace’ times five

Blog

By Mark Grossi

From Fresno Bee – Thursday, May 26, 2011

The San Joaquin River Agreement and H.R. 1837 – A Deal is a Deal

Blog

By Barry Nelson

From NRDC – Thursday, May 26, 2011

SALTON SEA

Local legislator considering creating new state position for Salton Sea restoration

Story

From IV Press – Friday, May 27, 2011

Thursday, May 26, 2011

News articles and links from May 26, 2011

California Officials Water Down Farm Water Efficiency Goal

Blog

By Ed Osann

From NRDC – Tuesday, May 25, 2011

Coalition response...Osann way overstates the amount of water attributable to rice by using the "applied water" figure of five acre-feet per acre instead of the more appropriate "consumptive use" figure of about three acre-feet per acre. That's a 67 percent error.

Hook, line and sinker

Story

From Chico News & Review – Thursday, May 26, 2011

Coalition response...Salmon fishermen have suffered in recent years because of decisions made by federal agencies to either halt the fishing season or reduce the allowable take. Farmers have also suffered from federal decisions as water deliveries have been reduced. While the current salmon season has been warmly greeted by some fishermen, others have questioned the validity of the numbers and wondered aloud if maybe opening the season this year might be a mistake. The lawsuit follows this line of thought, asking for a one-year hiatus to prove the stability of the salmon population.

It’s no wonder that the water districts are sensitive to the potential of losing their water. In 2008 when losses to salmon fishermen and the economic ripple effect to relating businesses totaled $104 million, the federal government shelled out $174 million in direct payments to fishermen, according to a CBS News report. Did farmers who lost water receive payments like this? No.

PEOPLE

World’s better place because of Jack Stone

Blog

By Harry Cline

From Western Farm Press – Thursday, May 26, 2011

RIVERS

New River is improving

Story

From IV Press – Thursday, May 26, 2011

CONGRESS

Nunes Bill benefits Westside growers at expense of environment, public

Blog

By Dan Bacher

From IndyBay Media – Wednesday, May 25, 2011

HR 1837 – An End Run Around State Water Rights, National Environmental Protection

Blog

By C-WIN

From IndyBay Media – Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

News articles and links from May 25, 2011

Delta fish slaughter a tragedy

Column

By Michael Fitzgerald

From The Record – Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Coalition response...At a time when everyone is clamoring for science to guide the way to a solution for the Delta, some have decided to ignore the biologists and claim the Delta pumps need to be restricted to preserve the splittail. Yet, biologists have concluded that the splittail is not deserving of protection under the Endangered Species Act. If we are going to ignore science-based decisions, any chance of finding real solutions to the bigger problems in the Delta is unlikely.

Delta pumps kill 4.4 million splittail, 3600 salmon in one week

Blog

By Dan Bacher

From IndyBay Media – Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Coalition response...This writer continues to add a new twist to his daily post to keep this non-story in front of his readers. He now criticizes both the Bush and Obama administrations for preventing the splittail from being protected under the Endangered Species Act. To have biologists from both these administrations denying the protection status provides a convincing argument against coverage under the ESA. If we are going to ignore science-based decisions, any chance of finding real solutions to the bigger problems in the Delta is unlikely.

WATER SUPPLY

Water costs squeeze San Diego County farms

Story

From CFBF/Ag Alert – Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Kings water supply abundant this year

Story

From Hanford Sentinel – Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Kings County crop value jumps 30%

Story

From Fresno Bee – Tuesday, May 24, 2011

GROUNDWATER

Patience will help us achieve success on water quality

Commentary

By Danny Merkely

From CFBF/AG Alert – Wednesday, May 25, 2011

City of Lindsay Says Fertilizer Tainted Groundwater

Blog

By John Lindt

From SIERRA2THESEA – Tuesday, May 24, 2011

DELTA

Planning for Delta ecosystems and our water supply is now more transparent

Opinion

By John Laird

From SJ Mercury News – Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Alternative BDCP Initial Project Operations Criteria Proposed for Analysis

Summary

From BDCP – Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Delta smelt refuse to die in pumps

Opinion

By Laer Pearce

From Daily Caller – Wednesday, May 25, 2011

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER

Salmon deadline for San Joaquin River faces delay

Story

From Fresno Bee – Tuesday, May 24, 2011

FISHERIES

Bigger water flows to help salmon

Story

From Redding Record Searchlight – Tuesday, May 24, 2011

PEOPLE

Local student places in state art contest

Story

From Porterville Recorder – Thursday, May 19, 2011

CONGRESS

Opposition to HR 1837

Blog

From C-WIN

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

News articles and links from May 24, 2011

Slaughter on the Delta – 2.9 million fish killed in 5 days!

Blog

By Dan Bacher

From IndyBay Media – Monday, may 23, 2011

Coalition response...The author’s continued criticism of the pumps that send water to 25 million Californians and several million acres of farmland that grow our food is misleading to the public. He fails to acknowledge what scientists have repeatedly said...the number of salmon taken at the pumps is minimal in comparison to the number of salmon eaten by predators. Biologists have also explained that the high number of splittail taken at the pumps is a direct result of this year’s conditions that have pushed the splittail population to such high levels. This is also a reason why the splittail has been denied protection under the Endangered Species Act...there are too many of them to warrant such protection.

WATER SUPPLY

Plug into state water supply

Letter

From Salinas Californian – Monday, May 23, 2011

Deep snow means more revenue for NID water district

Story

From The Union – Monday, May 23, 2011

Water in the lake, snow in the mountains

Story

From Redding Record Searchlight – Monday, May 23, 2011

DELTA

BDCP Launches Public Outreach Process

Announcement

From BDCP – Monday, May 23, 2011

A Zero Smelt Pumping Season?

Blog

By Tom Philp

From SF Chronicle – Monday, May 23, 2011

JPL climatologist warns of potential flooding in the West

Story

From Pasadena Star News – Monday, May 23, 2011

FISHERIES

Quarter-mile screen builds record salmon season

Press Release

From Northern California Carpenter – May 2011

Monday, May 23, 2011

News articles and links from May 23, 2011

San Joaquin farmers are planting more, hiring more

Story

From Fresno Bee – Monday, May 23, 2011

Coalition response...This is good news not only for the economy of the San Joaquin Valley but for California as a whole. Increased employment and planted acreages means an improvement for those communities that have suffered in recent years because of reduced water deliveries to local farms. Hopefully this increase will prove to those who to continue to discount the real impacts on west side farms and communities by claiming that statewide agriculture is just fine.

Local group eyes grant to move reservoir along

Story

From Oroville Mercury-Register – Sunday, May 22, 2011

State must find more ways to store water

Opinion

By Paul Wenger

From Contra Costa Times – Friday, May 20, 2011

(The following is in response to the above two articles.)

Coalition response...Increased storage must be a part of California’s water future, as pointed out in this article. Planning now is a necessity if our citizens and farms are going to endure future droughts, which will occur. As stated, new storage is important for California’s water future and improved conveyance will help those water supplies to be used as efficiently as possible.

WATER SUPPLY

3 rivers form Klamath Lake

Story

From Redding Record Searchlight – Saturday, May 21, 2011

Record Snowpacks Could Threaten Western States

Story

From NY Times – Saturday, May 21, 2011

Managing California’s Water: Economy vs. Environment?

Announcement

From Public Policy Institute of California

DELTA

California State Board of Food and Ag to discuss Delta plan and PPIC report on statewide water

Press release

From CDFA – Friday, May 20, 2011

Plan for delta full of holes

Letter

From SF Chronicle – Friday, May 20, 2011

(first letter listed but under different headline)

Why some NM schlub cares about the Sacramento Delta

Blog

By John Fleck

From Inkstain – Sunday, May 22, 2011

San Diego state of mind

Blog

By Alex Breitler

From The Record – Friday, May 20, 2011

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER

Swollen river raises Valley farmers’ restoration fears

Story

From Fresno Bee – Sunday, May 22, 2011

The swollen San Joaquin River is giving everybody a peek at the future, and it's making riverside farmers nervous.

WATER BANKING

Housing collapse creates water banking windfall

Story

From Bakersfield Californian – Sunday, May 22, 2011


BOND FINANCING

State Auditor Looks at Bond Oversight by DWR

Story

From ACWA – Friday, May 20, 2011

Friday, May 20, 2011

News articles and links from May 20, 2011

Delta’s winter surge undercuts rationale for big diversion of Sierra water around it

Story

From Contra Costa Times – Thursday, May 19, 2011

Coalition response...This rationale put forth by opponents of a canal/tunnel in the Delta is overlooking a key need of San Joaquin Valley farmers---timing. Despite an anticipation of high Sierra runoff through the Delta, farmers were told not to expect anything close to normal in their contracted deliveries and it wasn’t until April 25 that projected deliveries were increased to only 80%. This announcement was too late for most farmers who were already into their planting seasons. A canal/tunnel would help remedy the lateness of announced water deliveries and allow a more efficient use of available water supply.

We also agree with Sunne McPeak that new water storage is necessary to preserve California’s water future, although it should not be a condition tied to improved conveyance around the Delta. California voters need to thoughtfully consider the importance of approving a water bond ballot that is slated for the 2012 November ballot. This bond provides a step forward in securing the new water storage facilities that California needs.

Solutions to Water Supply Woes Surface in the West

Report

From Miller-McCune – Friday, May 20, 2011

Coalition response...Flood irrigation is an easy target for those individuals who do not understand why farmers employ the practice nor the benefits that result from it. Soil conditions, regional location, climate, crop and market return determine why a farmer uses flood irrigation. Just as important is the benefit that flood irrigation provides to groundwater recharge. Even Gleick acknowledged at a recent Delta Stewardship Council meeting that flood irrigation provides a benefit to other water users, such as rural communities who rely on groundwater resources for their domestic water supply.

PEOPLE

Kings County ag titan Jack Stone dies at 93

Story

From Hanford Sentinel – Thursday, May 19, 2011

Water community has lost 2 faithful contributors

Blog

By Mark Grossi

From Fresno Bee – Thursday, May 19, 2011

Fourth-grader wins 2nd in state farm water poster contest

Story

From Bakersfield Californian – Wednesday, May 18, 2011

DELTA

Oakley’s Big Break delta map first of its kind

Story

From Contra Costa Times – Wednesday, May 18, 2011

LEVEES

Flood drill is reminder: Fix the levees

Editorial

From Visalia Times-Delta – Tuesday, may 17, 2011

WATER FEES

DWR Chief warns of possible watermaster service fee increase

Story

From Siskiyou Daily News – Thursday, May 19, 2011

CONGRESS

We knew John Krautkraemer, and Nunes bill is no Delta Accord

Blog

By Cynthia Koehler

From Environmental Defense Fund – Thursday May 19, 2011

Thursday, May 19, 2011

News articles and links from May 19, 2011

Death in the Delta: The Slaughter Continues

Blog

By Dan Bacher

From IndyBay Media – Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Coalition response...Fishery experts within federal agencies have repeatedly stated that current conditions are favorable for soaring populations of splittail and the increased salvage of fish at the pumps are not unexpected. The splittail is not listed as an endangered species because of this very fact that its population dramatically moves up and down. Individuals who continually attempt to demonize the pumps should tell the full story to their readers.

Delta plans not well thought out

Letter

From The Record – Thursday, May 19, 2011

Coalition response...If the plan studied by scientists of the National Research Council was the final plan for he BDCP then resolving Delta issues would be back at the starting point. But it wasn’t the final plan and we are not back at the beginning. The scientists were only reviewing a status report from last December. Since that time several reworked drafts have been issued, according to a previously announced schedule. The NRC scientists stated in a press conference that the BDCP science is “sound” and there is no need to start over with the process.

A Strange Season: Lawsuits, & the BDCP

Video

From YouTube – Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Coaliton response...It’s unbelievable that this video devotes the bulk of its time attacking Westlands Water District after introducing the video with the salmon lawsuit brought by the San Joaquin River Authority. Westlands has no involvement in the lawsuit but it doesn’t deter the makers of the video from their criticism. The lawsuit calls for federal agencies to rescind the current salmon season, citing an uncertainty with projected salmon population numbers. Even Zeke Grader, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, indicated in a Feb. 20, 2011, article printed online in World Fishing Today that there is reason to be cautiously optimistic when looking at the projected salmon numbers. This video serves no purpose other than to spread false and misleading information.

PEOPLE

Valley ag, water visionary Jack Stone dies at 93

Story

From Fresno Bee – Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Kings County agriculture fixture Jack Stone dies at 93

Story

From Hanford Sentinel – Wednesday, May 18, 2011

WATER SUPPLY

Valley water projects get a boost

Story

From The Record – Thursday, My 19, 2011

SALTON SEA

Local leaders, don’t give up the Salton Sea fight

Editorial

From The Desert Sun – Wednesday, may 18, 2011

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

News articles and links from May 18, 2011

Over half a million splittail taken in Delta pumps on May 16!

Blog

By Dan Bacher

From IndyBay Media – Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Coalition response...It’s too bad this blogger didn’t include my entire quote. He left out---This story confirms the adage spoken by Dan Beard when he was the head of the Audubon Society. Discussing environmental PR Beard said: “Never, ever, ever, any good news.”

WATER SUPPLY

Nunes’s Water Welfare Act

Blog

By John Bass

From Delta National Park – Tuesday, May 17, 2011

No time to waste: $9.1 million for Central Valley water management

Story

From Western Farm Press – Wednesday, May 18, 2011

DELTA

More salty details

Blog

By Alex Breitler

From The Record – Tuesday, May 17, 2011

FISHERIES

Judge puts endangered species agreement on hold

Story

From LA Times – Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Salmon at risk of extinction on Yuba, advocacy group says

Story

From Marysville Appeal-Democrat – Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

News articles and links from May 17, 2011

Federal Pumps in Delta Are Killing Huge Numbers of Critically Imperiled Salmon and Other Native Fish

News release

From Center for Biological Diversity – Monday, May 16, 2011

Coalition response... This story confirms the adage spoken by Dan Beard when he was the head of the Audubon Society. Discussing environmental PR Beard said: “Never, ever, ever, any good news.”

The untold part of this story is that the Sacramento splittail population is doing GREAT and the increased take at the pumps only represents the corresponding population explosion, according to comments by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Bureau of Reclamation. Improved winter conditions and floodplain habitat helped not only the splittail but also salmon, which have grown larger in the estuary’s nursery.

Patience and science will do more to help fish recover in the Delta than jumping to conclusions based on half of the facts.

High fish kill at Delta pumps, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing

Story

From Contra Costa Times – Monday, May 16, 2011

Coalition response...Great job by The Times in reporting the facts surrounding the increased population of salmon and splittail as evidenced by the uptick of fish salvaged by water managers. Multiple federal agencies charged with overseeing Delta fisheries and water operations concluded that fish populations are rebounding. Thanks for reporting the good news.

Delta salt removal order on hold

Story

From The Record – Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Coalition response...Salinity intrusion to the South Delta was recorded as far back as the 1920s. This intrusion has actually receded since the construction of projects that send water today to millions of acres of farmland and 25 million Californians. In 1931, prior to the projects, salinity intrusion was recorded as far inland as Walnut Grove. The farthest the salinity intrusion reached after the projects were constructed was in 1977 to the southern tip of Brannan Island. DWR records prove that salinity intrusion has ebbed since the projects went into operation.

Find a way to restore the delta

Editorial

From Modesto Bee – Monday, May 16, 2011

(This editorial was previously printed in the Fresno Bee and Merced Sun-Star and the Coalition responded with the following response.)

Coalition response...This editorial is correct that an agreement in the Delta is necessary to safeguard California’s water future. NRC scientists made some very strong statements following their review of the BDCP work that is now six months old. They acknowledged that ongoing BDCP studies are already filling in the gaps and that there is no need to restart the process. Perhaps the most telling of all statements was that the science being used in the BDCP process is “sound.” BDCP has brought us the closest in years to a Delta resolution and now is not the time to abandon it.

WATER SUPPLY

Nunes pushes bill to boost water to Valley farms

Story

From Fresno Bee – Monday, May 16, 2011

SALTON SEA

California budget plan would scrap new Salton Sea panel

Story

From The Desert Sun – Monday, May 16, 2011

RIVERS

Grant will pay for watershed positions

Story

From Merced Sun-Star – Tuesday, May 17, 2011