Farm Water News: News articles and links from May 28, 2013

Bay Delta Conservation Plan

Letter: There's a better idea than Delta tunnels

From: Jim King, Fresno Bee

Coalition response...It would require 120 desalination plants the size of the recently approved Poseidon facility in San Diego County to meet the 6 MAF requirements of the State Water Project and federal Central Valley Project. With 840 miles of California coastline, a desal plant would have to be placed every seven miles and would still not connect to our current water distribution system.

The BDCP is a much cheaper and more environmentally-friendly solution.

We must avoid Delta disaster

From: Bill Jennings, The Record

Coalition response...Public water agencies have already spent $150 million to fund the research by scientists, economists and engineers to develop the Bay Delta Conservation Plan with the expected results of a reliability in water deliveries, which they have a right to receive. That reliability is absent today because of environmental regulations that have taken water away from 25 million Californians and thousands of farmers. See the impacts caused by these regulations at farmwater.org/watersupplycutshurtusall.pdf.

The public water users already have the right to receive water that flows through the Delta and is planned to be conveyed through the tunnels. The amount of water that will flow through the tunnels will be limited by the actual day-by-day conditions and flows of the Sacramento River. Studies have concluded that water diversions will likely be in the range of average exports over the past 20 years. When flows are high more water can be moved through the tunnels. When flows are lower less water will be moved...or none at all under dry conditions. Learn more at www.farmwater.org/exportthrottle.pdf.

Endangered species will not benefit from "new state-of-the-art fish screens in the south Delta," as proposed by the author. Instead, fish will be trapped in a channel with no way out that will become heavily populated by predator fish waiting for a meal. BDCP scientists and engineers have already concluded that screens at the south Delta pumps will not help the fish; yet, the author and others continue to ignore years of research and study.

The Bay Delta Conservation Plan remains the best alternative to provide a reliable supply of water and at the same time restore the Delta ecosystem. Accomplishing these two goals as set forth by the California Legislature will provide a secure water future for our state.

Delta

Guest commentary: Costa's move to gut the ESA will destroy the Delta

From: Carolee Krieger, Contra Costa Times

Coalition response...Carolee Krieger is wrong about the proposed actions within Rep. Costa's legislation and she exaggerates the potential impacts on the ecosystem.

The legislation introduced by Rep. Costa, H.R. 1927: More Water and Security for Californians Act, will not "drain the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta" and her interpretation is simply false. In fact, a careful read of the proposal at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1927/text reveals numerous safeguards to preserve in-Delta water supplies and enhancements to improve fish species but Kreiger is betting that you won't read it.

Courts

Water Authority files for writ; disagrees with Delta Stewardship Council

From: Dan Nelson, San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority

Westlands Water District Files Legal Action Against Delta Plan

From: Tom Birmingham, Westlands Water District

Westlands files Bay Delta suit

From: Fresno Business Journal

Tenacious water lawyers needed immediately!

From: John Bass, Delta National Park

Bay Delta Conservation Plan

Labor-backed group runs radio ads touting Gov. Jerry Brown's tunnel project

From: Steven Harmon, San Jose Mercury News