Friday, November 8, 2013

News articles and links from November 8, 2013


Bay Delta Conservation Plan

From: Assemblywoman Beth Gaines, Mountain Democrat
From: Assemblywoman Beth Gaines, Rocklin and Roseville Today

All Californians have a stake in the outcome of efforts to solve our water crisis and ensure continuous, reliable water supplies for the entire state.

Unfortunately, the water proposal that is being discussed at the State Capitol today, more commonly known as the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, would impose upon our region a one-sided solution that will result in serious economic and environmental consequences for us all.

Coalition response...Computer modeling done as part of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan has provided valuable information to those communities that rely upon water from Folsom Lake. That information stresses the need to understand the changes in how watersheds and water systems will be impacted by climate change. These impacts will take place regardless of the future of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan.

The BDCP will not negatively impact existing water rights, including those rights currently held by users of Folsom Lake water.

Executive Director John Woodling of the Regional Water Authority, a joint powers authority representing 22 water providers in the greater Sacramento area, recently reported during a Valley Vision forum that a successful BDCP is better than no BDCP as it would allow more water to be reserved in Folsom Lake, especially during drier periods.

Reasonable analysis of the BDCP reveals more and more water supply improvements to California.

Bulletin 160 

From: Guy Carl, Napa Valley Register

The Department of Water Resources has released a draft of its 2013 California Water Plan Update, a plan it revises every five years.

Coalition response...Discussions of water use have long over-looked the largest managed water use in California, environmental water use. The people of California commit tremendous resources to maintain the environmental health of our waterways, to the tune of 48% of available supply, according to the State of California. This supply goes to promote the health of our state's fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. Farmers use only 41 percent of the available water supplies in our state and produce not only the food for our tables but the food and fiber demanded by a global marketplace. California's cities and business use the remaining 11 percent.

At one time a portion of current environmental water use was once delivered to farmers. But federal law takes several million acre-feet of water from farmers each year and diverts it to environmental purposes. All dedicated water uses must be considered when discussing water in our state.

The writer ignores that more than seven years of research has been conducted to develop the proposed Bay Delta Conservation Plan and its tunnels. Multiple options, including sizes, to the tunnels have been studied and the conclusion is that the current proposal is the best opportunity to fulfill the Legislature's mandate to provide a reliable water supply and restore the ecosystem of the Delta. Learn more about the Bay Delta Conservation Plan at www.baydeltaconservationplan.com.

Reservoirs

From: Stephen Crane, Calaveras Enterprise

Water reserves in the Central Valley are down nearly across the board this year and New Melones Reservoir was hit hardest compared to last year's numbers.

Delta 

From: Press Release, USBR 

The Bureau of Reclamation will open the Delta Cross Channel Gates on Friday, November 8, at approximately 9 a.m., to allow for recreational boating through the weekend. The gates will be closed on Tuesday, November 12, at approximately 9 a.m., in order to meet Bay-Delta flow standards at Rio Vista, Calif., according to State Water Resources Control Board Decision D-1641. The gates will remain closed until further notice.

Districts

From: Alex Cantatore, Turlock City News

The Turlock Irrigation District is running one dam safe operation, thanks to new Chief Dam Safety Engineer Peggy Harding.

People

From: Press Release, Irrigation Association

The Irrigation Association presented its annual awards during the General Session, Nov. 7, at the 2013 Irrigation Show and Education Conference in Austin, Texas. The association honored individuals in two categories.

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