Farm Water News

Coalition response...This writer makes two points not often seen in blogs about salmon recovery: 1) ocean conditions are a factor in the lifecycle of Chinook salmon, and 2) dams and reservoirs help provide cold water and improved flows during dry years that help both fish and farmers. Taking those factors into consideration completely changes the discussion over how to address recent declines in fish populations in the Delta. Addressing the problems we can control, such as fish rearing habitat in the Delta region and preventing wasteful "environmental" water releases that have no measurable benefit will not only help increase water supply reliability for California's farms, it will salmon when they need it most.

WATER SUPPLY

On the Lighter Side: Dam or no dam? Taking a deep look

Opinion

By Steve Wiegand

From Sacramento Bee - Sunday, March 4, 2012

Even with 10% increase, Modesto irrigation would be a bargain

Story

From Modesto Bee - Sunday, March 4, 2012

DELTA

Viewpoints: Bay Delta draft offers a first step to solutions

Opinion

By David Festa and Cynthia Koehler

From Sacramento Bee - Sunday, March 4, 2012

Delta belongs to us and we must protect it

Opinion

By Ann Johnston

From The Record - Sunday, March 4, 2012

Pretty good crowd for a Saturday

Blog

By Alex Breitler

From The Record - Monday, March 5, 2012

FISHERIES

A victory for Central Valley salmon

Blog

By Kate Poole

From NRDC - Friday, March 2, 2012

CONGRESS

California water bill now flows to uncertain future in Senate

Story

From Fresno Bee - Friday, March 2, 2012

News articles and links from March 2, 2012

2012-03-02T10:47:00.001-08:00

Delta

Some worry officials will leap, not fully look at Delta

Story

From Stockton Record - Friday, March 2, 2012

Coalition response...Alex Breitler does an good job explaining why calls for a cost/benefit analysis on new Delta conveyance are both premature and extraordinarily difficult. You can't put a cost on a project until you know what it will look like. No one yet knows what a new canal or tunnel project will include and we can't possibly know the cost until we do. In addition, there are elements of the overall project, such as ecosystem benefits that people are reluctant to quantify monetarily.

It's a lot like making a decision to buy a new pick-up. You have to tell the dealer how you want it equipped before you can be quoted a price. That's the same dilemma confronting the state's water leaders. They're still considering options.

If you want to read more about the economic benefits that new conveyance and a reliable water supply will bring, please visit www.moneygoeswherewaterflows.org.

BDCP and the path of least resistance

Blog

By John Bass

From Delta National Park - Friday, March 2, 2012

Coalition response...The author has jumped to the conclusion that a tunnel option as part of the BDCP is the worst thing that could happen to the Delta ecosystem. I have yet to see a final report from BDCP that says it's work is done and that a tunnel is included. Too many critics of the BDCP and other efforts to resolve the issues surrounding the Delta are quick to jump ahead of the planning process to make their statements. Wouldn't it be better to work together toward that final report in a manner that benefits all, both the environment and water users?

WATER SUPPLY

When it rains, it will really pour

Column

By Felicity Barringer

From NY Times - Friday, March 2, 2012

Sierra snow exceeds forecast, but too little too late

Story

From KTVU-TV - Thursday, March 1, 2012

Irrigation districts face dry conditions

Story

From Patterson Irrigator - Thursday, March 1, 2012

Keswick flows cut

Story

From Red Bluff Daily News - Thursday, March 1, 2012

Klamath agreement parties stall restoration

Opinion

By Hayley Hutt

From Eureka Times-Standard - Thursday, March 1, 2012

DELTA

Delta plan would build tunnels to pump water

Story

From Fresno Bee - Friday, March 2, 2012

From Modesto Bee - Thursday, March 1, 2012

From CBS/13 TV - Thursday, March 1, 2012

From CBS/47 TV - Thursday, March 1, 2012

FISHERIES

Fisheries officials face hostile crowd: Salmon recovery plan seen as flawed

Story

From Redding Record Searchlight - Friday, March 2, 2012

Help for fish ordered on Yuba River

Story

From Sacramento Bee - Friday, March 2, 2012

A bold plan to reshape the Central Valley flood plain

Story

From NY Times - Thursday, March 1, 2012

CONGRESS

McClintock doesn't consider local farmers in water bill

Letter

From Sacramento Bee - Friday, March 2, 2012

The money behind the Nunes water bill

Story

From Central Valley Business Times - Friday, March 2, 2012

Obama administration threatens to veto controversial water bill

Story

From Bay Citizen - Thursday, March 1, 2012

Water meddling

Editorial

From Riverside Press-Enterprise - Thursday, March 1, 2012

California's senators slam water bill passed by the House

Story

From KPCC - Thursday, March 1, 2012

News articles and links from March 1, 2012

2012-03-01T13:15:00.000-08:00

WATER SUPPLY

Worries mount for Sierra, water supply

Story

From Stockton Record - Thursday, March 1, 2012

Dam-busting drive smashes integrity too

Editorial

From Redding Record Searchlight - Thursday, March 1, 2012

Feds negative on Yuba River dams

Story

From Marysville Appeal-Democrat - Thursday, March 1, 2012

Conservation is needed despite full reservoirs

Editorial

From SJ Mercury News - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

DELTA

Delta Conservation Plan documents ready for pre-public review

Story

From Chico Enterprise-Record - Thursday, March 1, 2012

Calif. delta tunnel plan would increase pumping

Story

From SF Chronicle - Thursday, March 1, 2012

$23B tunnel mixed bag for fish

Story

From Stockton Record - Thursday, March 1, 2012

Bay Delta water diversion plan could harm fish temporarily, state analysis says

Story

From Sacramento Bee - Thursday, March 1, 2012

Time to get real about California's water supply

Opinion

By Sen. Lois Wolk

From SF Chronicle - Thursday, March 1, 2012

Delta water tunnel analysis released

Story

From Sacramento Bee - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Peripheral canal/tunnel plus Delta restoration price tag soars

Story

From Central Valley Business Times - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

State releases key draft BDCP documents for public review

Story

From ACWA - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Bay Delta Conservation Plan hits critical milestone

Press Release

From SWC - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

BDCP's own study shows plan could lead to species declines and extinction

Press release

From Bay Institute - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Central Valley's providers of irrigation, hydro power upset by flow proposal

Story

From Merced Sun-Star - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

You will have no real say as voter in Peripheral Canal 2.0

Editorial

From Manteca Bulletin - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

Reclamation announces funding for Bay Delta Restoration Program: CALFED water use efficiency grants

Press release

From USBR - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

BDCP draft chapters available for review

Announcement

From BDCP

FISHERIES

Have our salmon and eat them too: Re-thinking salmon hatcheries in the Central Valley

Blog

By Jacob Katz/Peter Moyle

From California WaterBlog - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Local fishermen optimistic about salmon season

Story

From Press Democrat - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

CONGRESS

U.S. House approves bill that would remake California water law

Story

From LA Times - Thursday, March 1, 2012

House passes Nunes water bill

Story

From Stockton Record - Thursday, March 1, 2012

Controversial water bill passes House

Story

From CBS/47 - Thursday, March 1, 2012

Fact check: Tracy's thirst

Blog

By Alex Breitler

From Stockton Record - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Nunes invokes Wanger's words in seeking House approval of water bill

Blog

By John Ellis

From Fresno Bee - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

House approves California water bill

Story

From Fresno Bee - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

From Modesto Bee - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

From Sacramento Bee - Thursday, March 1, 2012

House approves bill to ship more Delta water south

Story

From Contra Costa Times - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Cardoza, Costa call for bipartisan solution to state's water problems

Story

From Merced Sun-Star - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

House passes bill taking aim at tiny California fish

Story

From News 10/ABC - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

House passes controversial Calif. water bill

Story

From CBS 47 - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

From KCRA 3/NBC - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

From Modesto Bee - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

From North County Times - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

From SF Chronicle - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

From SD Union-Tribune - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Farm Bureau Federation says water bill refocuses on state's water problems

Story

From Merced Sun-Star - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Water too critical for divisive rhetoric

Editorial

From Salinas Californian - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Maybe a break for parched California farms

Opinion

By Rep. Ed Royce

From Orange County Register - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

Protecting endangered farmers

Editorial -- Wall Street Journal

From Rep. Nunes - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 29, 2012

2012-02-29T10:13:00.001-08:00

WATER SUPPLY

Storm expected to provide a leap in rain, snowfall totals for Sacramento, Sierra

Story

From Sacramento Bee - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Groundwater is key water supply that is overdrafted

Letter

From Sacramento Bee - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

Documentary highlights TID transformation

Editorial

From Modesto Bee - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

Ousted scientist claims Salazar 'spun' Klamath dam removal reports

Story

From Record Searchlight - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

Sierra snowpack at 30 percent of normal, but reservoirs are still pretty full

Story

From Contra Costa Times - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

From Mercury News - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

Brewing storm could help Calif.'s water woes

Story

From Appeal Democrat - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

From CBS/47 TV - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

From KTVU/2 TV - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

From Modesto Bee - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

From Stockton Record - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

From Visalia Times-Delta - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

More bad news from CA's Sierra snowpack survey

Story

From CBS/13 TV - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

From CBS/47 TV - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

From Fresno Bee - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

From Santa Cruz Sentinel - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

Modesto Irrigation District postpones talk of rate increases

Story

From Modesto Bee - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

CONGRESS

Nunes water bill up for vote today

Story

From Stockton Record - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

The guy's got our water on the brain

Editorial

From Stockton Record - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

House water bill needs a burial at sea

Editorial

From Sacramento Bee - Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012

House can prevent Big Green's California dust bowl

Editorial

From Washington Examiner - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

Damaging water measure needs to be rejected

Editorial

From Contra Costa Times - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

House water bill bad for delta and environment

Opinion

By Rep. John Garamendi

From Modesto Bee - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 28, 2012

2012-02-28T10:16:00.001-08:00

WATER SUPPLY

'Miracle' not likely for March

Story

From Mercury-Register - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

The cost of a mild winter

TV news

From CBS-47 - Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

The water which quenched a dry land

Story

From The Signal - Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

California's Water: A verdeXchange expert panel on reimaging the State's water infrastructure

Q/A

From Planning Report - Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012

DELTA

Calif. delta water plan requires transparency

Editorial

From SF Chronicle - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

Peripheral canal, Delta will be discussed at sustainability forum

Story

From Lodi News Sentinel - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

Will a big quake leave our water supplies high and dry?

Story

From High-Desert Star - Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

Effort to fix the Delta approaching a critical juncture

Opinion

By Jill Duerig

From Oakland Tribune - Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

The Delta 101: Of levees, canals & whiskey 

Blog

By Jayni Foley Hein

From Legal Planet - Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

FISHERIES

NOAA issues Klamath dam coho conservation permit; PacifiCorp to pay $510,000 annually for projects

Story

From Times-Standard - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

CONGRESS

Bill puts families over fish

Press release

From Rep. Nunes - Tuesday, Feb. 28,2012

Congress moves to redistribute California's water

Opinion

By Rep. Grace F. Napolitano

From SF Chronicle - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

Bill would steal 260 billion gallons of water annually from California salmon for wealthy water brokers

Story

From YubaNet - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

Water bill in Congress promotes division, destroys state consensus

Viewpoint

By Rep. John Garamendi

From Sacramento Bee - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012

Rep. Nunes turns on California spigot

Editorial

From Investor's Business Daily - Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

Oppose the "State Water Rights Repeal Act" (H.R. 1837)

Blog

By Doug Obegi

From NRDC - Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 27, 2012

2012-02-27T09:52:00.001-08:00

Water supply

Water-conservation plan sought for California

Story

From Fresno Bee - Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012

From Merced Sun-Star - Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012

Coalition response...USBR water contractors already measure water deliveries to a higher degree of accuracy under federal water conservation plan rules that were adopted initially in 1992 and updated every three years since. Upstream, or lateral, measurement already achieves the same goal of farm-gate measurement because districts are able to calculate delivered quantities to individual farms. By using time and flow rates assigned to each farm on a specific distribution lateral ditch or canal, districts have been accurately measuring farm-gate deliveries to individual farms for years. Environmentalists would not accept either the federal measurement guidelines or lateral measurement calculations and argued against them even though from a practical standpoint they

achieve the same thing.

PEOPLE

Peter Gleick requests short-term leave of absence from Oakland's Pacific Institute

Story

From SJ Mercury News - Friday, Feb. 24, 2012

WATER SUPPLY

California water project won't be decided at poll

Story

From SF Chronicle - Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

Winter weather returns

Report

From NWS - Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

Water for the Bay area

Letter

From NY Times - Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012

Turlock Irrigation District board to weigh early season start

Story

From Modesto Bee - Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012

Modesto Irrigation District eyes higher rate for farm water

Story

From Modesto Bee - Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012

Bees and drought among top crop concerns in San Joaquin Valley

Story

From Modesto Bee - Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012

Water tops high-speed rail

Viewpoint

By Joseph M. Bowman

From Ventura County Star - Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012

Irrigation district delays delivery announcement

Story

From Fresno Business Journal - Friday, Feb. 24, 2012

DELTA

Delta Planning in 2012: No Drought of Activity

Blog

By Tom Philp

From SF Chronicle - Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012

Few alternatives to a Delta water tunnel

Letter

From Sacramento Bee - Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012

Wolk, eye on re-election, criticizes canal, child care cuts

Story

From Martinez Gazette - Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012

Delta council should address concerns

Letter

From Enterprise-Record - Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012

Planning document that cost $200 million to be among first salvos of water war

Story

From Whittier Daily News - Friday, Feb. 24, 2012

FISHERIES

$3.6 billion plan could help coho salmon; meeting on proposal set for Thursday

Story

From Record Searchlight - Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012

CONGRESS

County Farm Bureau backs Water Reliability Act

Letter

From Merced Sun-Star - Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

Contentious bill would reshape the restoration of San Joaquin River

Story

From Fresno Bee - Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012

From Modesto Bee - Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 24, 2012

2012-02-24T10:45:00.000-08:00

WATER SUPPLY

Dry winter means less water expected for farmers

Story

From Visalia Times-Delta - Friday, Feb. 24, 2012

Grape growers looking for rain in 2012

Story

From Western Farm Press - Friday, Feb. 24, 2012

Sacramento weather history suggests dry February will mean a drenched March

Story

From Sacramento Bee - Friday, Feb. 24, 2012

Few locals present for Salton Sea Authority's vote to support local restoration solution for the sea

Story

From Imperial Valley Press - Friday, Feb. 24, 2012

Hetch Hetchy has nothing to do with Don Pedro

Opinion

By Casey Hashimoto/Allen Short

From Modesto Bee - Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

Irrigation districts: Hetch Hetchy claims untrue

Story

From SF Chronicle - Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

Electronic snow survey brings more bad water news

Story

From Fresno Bee - Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

From Modesto Bee - Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

SWRCB study on hydroelectric power along key Delta tributaries ignores key information

Press release

From Healthy Delta for All - Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

California Water: Planning for a Better Future

Report

From PPIC - February 2012

DELTA

Mark the date: March 3

Story

From The Record - Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

Water Authority board affirms support for fixing Bay-Delta

Press release

From SD County Water Authority - Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

FISHERIES

Local net pens would boost salmon population

Story

From Half Moon Bay Review - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

CONGRESS

Take valley lawmaker's water bill off table

Editorial

From Monterey Herald - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

Response to San Francisco Chronicle

Statement

By Rep. Tom McClintock

From Rep. McClintock - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 23, 2012

2012-02-23T10:04:00.001-08:00

WATER SUPPLY

The not-so-vast conspiracy

Editorial

From Wall Street Journal - Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

Expanding water storage capacity in California

Blog

By Jay Lund

From California WaterBlog - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

DWR reduces State Water Project allocation

Press release

From DWR - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

Decrease in allocation announced for State Water Project

Press release

From KCWA - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

Reclamation announces initial 2012 Central Valley Project water supply allocation

Press release

From USBR - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

Birmingham statement---Bureau of Reclamation allocation announcement

Press release

From Westlands WD - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

Dry season forces State to lower State Water Project delivery projections to 50%

Press release

From SWC - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

Low rainfall could mean restrictions; water agencies announce usage cuts of up to 70%

Story

From Record Searchlight - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

Feds offer dismal Central Valley farm water forecast, citing dry winter

Story

From Fresno Bee - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

State, federal water agencies offer optimistic delivery forecast

Story

From Western Farm Press - Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

Calif., federal officials say water allocation low

Story

From Fresno Bee - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

From CBS/47 TV - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

Water worries

TV news

From CBS/47 TV - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

Denham: 30% water allocation by Bureau of Reclamation 'unacceptable'

Story

From Merced Sun-Star - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

Reclamation and Natural Resources Conservation Service provide funding opportunity for water conservation

Press release

From USBR - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

DELTA

Delta Plan won't alter water rights

Letter

From Chico Enterprise-Record - Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

Everyone invited to meeting on determining Delta projects all stakeholders can support

Announcement

From Aquafornia - Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

Brown may subvert democratic process to get canal or tunnel

Blog

By Burt Wilson

From Public Water News Service

FISHERIES

County requests approval of coho supplementation program

Story

From Siskiyou Daily News - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 22, 2012

2012-02-22T10:11:00.001-08:00

PEOPLE

Gleick hurt by ethics lapse over climate papers

Story

From SF Chronicle - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

WATER SUPPLY

Merced Irrigation District to begin taking water orders

Story

From Merced Sun-Star - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

The numbers tell the sad story

Blog

By Ken Clark

From AccuWeather - Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

2012 water year off to a dismal start, forces recovery of water banked in 2011

Press release

From KCWA - Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

What a difference a year makes on the Colorado

Report

By John Fleck

From Rural West Initiative - Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

Farmland, slough contaminated by saltwater: Pajaro Valley flooding cut into irrigation supply, damaged cropland

Story

From Santa Cruz Sentinel - Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

California rice and water efficiency

Video

From CRC - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

WATER QUALITY

Board may restrict runoff from irrigated lands

Story

From Capital Press - Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

DELTA

Delta left out of fight over Hetch Hetchy

Column

By Michael Fitzgerald

From The Record - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

BDCP Public Meeting Scheduled for February 29

Announcement

From BDCP - Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

Much better water solutions than Delta tunnels

Letter

From Sacramento Bee - Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

FISHERIES

California's wild salmon numbers are dwindling

Story

From Mercury News - Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

CONGRESS

Water rights "hot potato" and H.R. 1837

Blog

By Barry Nelson

From NRDC - Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 21, 2012

2012-02-21T10:43:00.000-08:00

WATER SUPPLY

Climate scientist admits duping skeptic group to obtain documents

Story

From Washington Post - Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

What does Peter Gleick's Heartland Institute admission do to his role in California's water politics?

Blog

By Molly Peterson

From SCPR - Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

Activist says he lied to obtain climate papers

Story

From NY Times & Aquafornia - Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

Below-normal precipitation and the beat goes on

Blog

By Ken Clark

From AccuWeather - Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

San Joaquin River restoration likely a sore point in dry season

Story

From Fresno Bee - Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

Film commemorates TID's 125-year history

Story

From Modesto Bee - Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

Raising of dam would erase some sites forever

Viewpoint

By Tom Dunlap

From Record Searchlight - Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012

DELTA

Audacious Delta tunnel plan weighed

Story

From Fresno Bee - Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

From Sacramento Bee - Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

Dogs of war still hungry in 'Water-stan'

Opinion

By Stuart Leavenworth

From Sacramento Bee - Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012

The Delta Plan carefully crafted

Letter

From Auburn Journal - Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012

Levee fixes in Calif. leads to more building, rise

Story

From Sacramento Bee - Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012

FISHERIES

Panelists recommend pursuing artificially propagated fish program

Story

From Siskiyou Daily News - Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

Dry year, low level threaten salmon

Story

From Red Bluff Daily News - Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012

CONGRESS

Rep. Nunes scores with water bill

Opinion

By Rep. Jim Costa

From Visalia Times-Delta - Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

State must block Delta water grab

Editorial

From Woodland Daily Democrat - Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012

Highhanded hypocrisy on water law

Editorial

From Record Searchlight - Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012

Trying to 'stop the bleeding' from environmental overreach

Story

From Daily Digest - Friday, Feb. 17, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 17, 2012

2012-02-17T10:19:00.001-08:00

Water supply

$11 billion water bond should be repealed

Viewpoint

By Adam Scow and Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla

From Sacramento Bee - Friday, Feb. 17, 2012

Coalition response...People who want to see the water bond go away are myopic in their views as they relate to water issues confronting all of California. These critics ignore provisions that would establish integrated regional water management plans that would lead to increased self-reliant water supplies. They also refuse to accept the efforts underway to secure a resolution to both the Delta's ecosystem and a reliable water supply for 25 million Californians. California's water supply has historically served all of its citizens and not just one group over another. As a result, our state has developed an economy and a standard of living that is unmatched. A recent Field Research poll revealed that 62% of respondents believe it is worth it to invest funds to ensure a reliable water supply for the future. Interests who claim the water bond should be defeated are out of step with almost two-thirds of California voters.

WATER SUPPLY

Parties in QSA case questioning bias of appellate judge

Story

From Imperial Valley Press - Friday, Feb. 17, 2012

Irrigation execs: Industry saves water

Story

From Omaha World-Herald - Friday, Feb. 17, 2012

The scariest water proposal you've never heard of

Blog

By Bruce Ross

From Record Searchlight - Feb. 16, 2012

Fresno native making Sierra climate waves from Alabama

Blog

By Mark Grossi

From Fresno Bee - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

Cow countenance awaits raindrops

Column

By Don Curlee

From Hanford Sentinel - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

Farmers want out of Delta bills

Blog

By Wayne Lusvardi

From Cal Watchdog - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

FISHERIES

California Trout pushes for 'wild and scenic' designation on Upper Truckee

Story

From Tahoe Daily Tribune - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

Pacific Fisheries Management Council's fall run salmon findings confirm San Joaquin River Tributaries Association's assertion that salmon population is being mismanaged

Press release

From Healthy Delta For All - Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

CONGRESS

Central Valley reps bill would upend water rights

Story

From SF Chronicle - Friday, Feb. 17, 2012

House panel OKs bill that would boost Delta water export, block river restoration

Story

From The Record - Friday, Feb. 17, 2012

House committee approves California water bill

Story

From Fresno Bee - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

From Modesto Bee - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

From Sacramento Bee - Friday, Feb. 17, 2012

Committee takes bipartisan vote to pass plan to end man-made California drought, create jobs and ensure food security

Press release

Water bill passes committee - heads to full House

Press release

From Rep. Nunes - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

Streamlining regulations to bring a reliable water supply to the valley and spur job creation

Press release

From Rep. Denham - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

Garamendi issues statement on water bill

Press release

From Rep. Garamendi - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 16, 2012

2012-02-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

WATER SUPPLY

Readers Ask...

Column

From Modesto Bee - Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Remember the 'maybes' in water sale

Letter

From Modesto Bee - Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

DELTA

Bay Delta Conservation Plan is best option

Forum

By John Laird

From SF Chronicle - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

CONGRESS

California Republicans' brazen water grab

Editorial

From SF Chronicle - Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

Nunes bill aims to restore Central Valley water supplies

Story

From Visalia Times-Delta - Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

McNerney calls new water legislation "unconscionable"

Press release

From Rep. McNerney - Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Cutting off the headwaters: An analysis of H.R. 1837, The San Joaquin Valley Water Uncertainty Act

Report

From Aquafornia

News articles and links from Feb. 15, 2012

2012-02-15T10:23:00.001-08:00

Water supply

Don't delay water bond; repeal it

Letter

From Merced Sun-Star - Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Repeal $11.14 billion water bond

Viewpoint

By Kristin Lynch

From California Progress Report - Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012

(The following response is posted to the above articles.)

Coalition response...People who call for the defeat of the water bond currently scheduled for the November ballot fail to recognize the importance to all Californians the bond represents. Our water supply system, on which our society and economy is based, is woefully inadequate to serve our growing population and to maintain a standard of life to which we have become accustomed. A recent Field Research poll revealed that 62% of respondents believe it is worth it to invest funds to ensure a reliable water supply for the future. Interests who claim the water bond should be defeated are out of step with almost two-thirds of California voters.

WATER SUPPLY

Study: Sierra snowfall consistent over 130 years

Story

From SF Chronicle - Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Where the Colorado runs dry

Op-Ed

By Jonathan Waterman

From NY Times - Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012

DELTA

$200,000 for Delta lobbying

Blog

By Alex Breitler

From The Record - Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012

The path to success in the Bay-Delta

Blog

By Barry Nelson

From NRDC - Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012

CONGRESS

Remake of Central Valley water rights moves to vote

Story

From Central Valley Business Times - Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Nunes water bill advances

Press release

From Rep. Nunes - Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012

Committee to act on plan to end California's man-made drought and restore water supplies and jobs

Press release

From NRC - Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 14, 2012

2012-02-14T10:23:00.001-08:00

Fisheries

Offspring of Calaveras River salmon may be left high and dry

Story

From The Record - Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

Coalition response...It is unfortunate that weather patterns and a study mired within the federal review process combined to isolate spawning pools in which salmon eggs may not survive. A resolution of the study could lead to a quicker and brighter future for salmon runs. If only the future of these salmon could be as quick and bright as they travel into the Delta as young juveniles. This future was put in doubt as the California Fish and Game Commission declined to accept the recommendations from its own Department of Fish and Game that urged revisions in striped bass fishing. DFG biologists acknowledged that striped bass consume up to 50% of the juvenile salmon that traverse the Delta and recommended the new regulations. Instead of acting to protect juvenile salmon, the Commission played the political trump card and denied its own biologists and the new regulations.

Fishing guide J.D. Richey provides a realistic look at what happens in the Delta when striped bass meet the young salmon. In the March 2009 edition of Western Outdoors, Richey wrote, "...the peak of the baby salmon's downstream journey corresponds with the spring spawning run of striped bass. Somewhere along the line the two migrations crash headlong into one another. It's a one-sided blood bath, and when the spray and foam settles, the stripers emerge fat and happy while the Chinook suffer heavy losses."

WATER SUPPLY

Educating public on connection between reliable water, economy an important task

Viewpoint

By Tim Quinn

From ACWA - Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012

Californians unaware that water comes from Sacramento Delta

Story

From Independent Voter Network - Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012

Valley farmers are thankful for rain

TV news

From ABC/TV 30 - Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

Three inside sliders this week

Blog

By Ken Clark

From AccuWeather - Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

DELTA

Sustainability forum on water and the Delta

Press release

From Restore the Delta - Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

Another round of Ninth Circuit delta smelt briefing completed

Blog

By Brandon Middleton

From Pacific Legal Foundation - Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

Meral discusses BDCP to Delta Protection Commission

Story

From River News Herald - Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012

FISHERIES

Mokelumne hatchery salmon outnumber wild fish

Story

From SF Chronicle - Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 13, 2012

2012-02-13T11:54:00.001-08:00

Water supply

Are the salmon really clamoring for a bigger dam?

Editorial

From Record Searchlight - Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012

Coalition response...Members of the public too often overlook or do not realize the full value of reservoirs in California's water supply system. Government formulas have been used through the years to make sure groups and interests who benefit from the reservoirs pay their fair costs. Likewise, these same formulas also protect against these same groups from being overcharged. To characterize the recent proposal to raise Shasta Dam and apportion the costs as a "shell game" is misguided and short-sighted.

WATER SUPPLY

Valley's wet weather should linger through week

Story

From Fresno Bee - Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

Work on California water bill exposes D.C. divide

Story

From Fresno Bee - Friday, Feb. 10, 2012

From Sacramento Bee - Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012

Will winter make a comeback in Valley?

Story

From Fresno Bee - Friday, Feb. 10, 2012

ACWA members testify at water storage hearing

Story

From ACWA - Friday, Feb. 10, 2012

Water storage vital to rural communities, job creation, economic growth

Press release

From U.S. Natural Resources Committee - Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012

DELTA

Hear both sides of the peripheral canal issue

Story

From Lodi News-Sentinel - Friday, Feb. 10, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 10, 2012

2012-02-10T10:14:00.001-08:00

WATER SUPPLY

Little relief in sight for parched California

Blog

By Bill Deger

From AccuWeather - Friday, Feb. 10, 2012

IID water conservation board hears report on future fallowing solutions

Story

From Imperial Valley Press - Friday, Feb. 10 2012

Helping our farmers

Letter

From Fresno Bee - Friday, Feb. 10, 2012

Water bond could mean $75 million for Auburn-based state agency

Story

From Auburn Journal - Friday, Feb. 10, 2012

It was pretty dry before that 'Miracle March' in 1991

Blog

By Mark Grossi

From Fresno Bee - Thursday Feb. 9, 2012

Fed study shows raising Shasta Dam is feasible

Story

From North County Times - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

From TV CBS 13 - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

From TV CBS 47 - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

From TV News 10 - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

How to fix the Colorado River?

Story

From National Geographic - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

Water bond initiative is plugged up

Editorial

From Merced Sun-Star - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

County intends to challenge Klamath dam decision in federal court

Story

From Siskiyou Daily News - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

Insights for California water policy from computer modeling

Blog

By Jay Lund

From California WaterBlog - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

DELTA

Environmental Water Caucus critiques draft EIR on Delta Plan

Press release

From EWC - Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012

FISHERIES

State BLM director tours Clear Creek, a success story for wild salmon and steelhead

Story

From Record Searchlight - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

Fix the river system

Viewpoint

By Bob Bradley

From Red Bluff Daily News

News articles and links from Feb. 9, 2012

2012-02-09T10:11:00.000-08:00

Fisheries

It is Time to Restore Salmon to the San Joaquin River

Blog

By Monty Schmitt

From NRDC - Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012

Coalition response... By his own admission, the author acknowledges that work has yet to be done to provide a clear pathway to the Delta and it is the responsibility of the state and federal fishery agencies to make a determination as to when conditions are suitable. Those agencies have not made that determination and ramping up the introduction of salmon will only cause the unnecessary loss of salmon. This is a surprising recommendation by an individual whose organization was part of the lawsuit.

Also, actions taken during the past years as part of the Restoration Program have had negative impacts on some farmers along the San Joaquin River. Flows sent down the river have caused seepage onto nearby land and flooded crops. Continued efforts in the program must take this impact into consideration. The timing of future water surges down the river must be managed in a way to avoid these negative consequences. While the water management goal actions are welcome, it is encouraging that during the last two years certain aspects of the water management goal actions have resulted in some mitigation of the impacts and the wet conditions have helped, but the author is just plain wrong in his assertion that there has been a net water supply benefit to farmers who gave up water to the restoration program.

WATER SUPPLY

Enlarging Shasta Lake feasible, U.S. report says

Story

From SF Chronicle - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

Rules, money blocking dam projects, officials say

Story

From The Record - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

Water rights: diversion or consumption?

Blog

By David Zetland

From Aguanomics - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

Data shows snowpack at 37 percent of normal

Story

From Siskiyou Daily News - Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012

Upper District rallies for new kind of peripheral canal bill

Story

From Pasadena Star-News - Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012

Irrigation rules could get tighter in Siskiyou; DFG drops appeal of ruling that enforcement is too lenient

Story

From Record Searchlight - Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012

Out of town water baron is not what he seems

Column

By Lois Henry

From Bakersfield Californian - Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012

Costa announces $6.8 million for Valley water projects

Press release

From Rep. Costa - Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012

DELTA

Delta Stewardship Council live streaming video

Report

From DSC

FISHERIES

Wild salmon are not holding up, study shows

Story

From NY Times - Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 8, 2012

2012-02-08T09:59:00.001-08:00

Fisheries

Fishing proposal voted down

Story

From Corning Observer - Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012

Coalition response...The California Fish and Game Commission turned its back on science by refusing to move forward with new regulations governing striped bass. As a result, predator bass will continue to gobble up juvenile salmon and other species in the Delta at a rate estimated by the Department of Fish and Game at 25-50%. Even the National Marine Fisheries Service labeled striped bass as an "important stressor warranting action." The proposed regulations would have benefited salmon and the Delta fishery and we won't achieve our ecosystem goals until stressors like striped bass are under control. Once again, politics trumped science.

WATER SUPPLY

Raising of Shasta Dam has pros, cons; businesses see costly move in the future

Story

From Record Searchlight - Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012

IID approves cost-sharing agreement for QSA mitigation change

Story

From Imperial Valley Press - Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012

DWR report predicts decrease in SWP deliveries

Story

From ACWA - Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012

PG&E predicts wet pattern late February thru early April

Blog

From Sierra2TheSea - Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

DELTA

Defending the Delta Plan

Blog

By Alex Breitler

From The Record - Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012

Disinformation floods delta water war in California

Blog

By Wayne Lusvardi

From CalWatchDog - Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 7, 2012

2012-02-07T10:09:00.001-08:00

WATER SUPPLY

Valley, foothill cattle ranchers need more rain

Story

From Modesto Bee - Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012

Reclamation releases a draft feasibility report and preliminary draft EIS for Shasta Lake water resources investigation

Press release

From USBR - Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

Report backs $1 billion plan to raise dam; Some relocation is necessary, but agriculture, wildlife benefit

Story

From Record Searchlight - Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

A short period of wet weather for California

Blog

By Ken Clark

From AccuWeather - Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

Delay water bond bill, and trim out the pork

Editorial

From Fresno Bee - Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

Drought

Column

By Jon Carroll

From SF Chronicle - Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

Obama's Westlands solar district opportunity

Blog

By John Bass

From Delta National Park - Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

DELTA

Myths and Facts about California's Bay-Delta Estuary

Blog

By Doug Obegi

From NRDC - Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

Can the California delta smelt survive our demand for water?

TV news

From News 10 - Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

Dancing with disaster in the state delta

Column

By Tom Campbell

From Santa Clarita Signal - Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 6, 2012

2012-02-06T10:44:00.001-08:00

Delta

California's water myths and facts

Blog

By Doug Obegi

From SF Chronicle - Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012

Coalition response...This author continues to point toward water exports as the blame for population decreases for fish in the Delta. He fails to add the list of stressors that scientists are in agreement with, namely, predators, water quality, loss of food and habitat. He conveniently ignores that California Department of Fish and Game biologists estimate that striped bass devour up to 50% of juvenile salmon. He also does not mention the millions of gallons of wastewater loaded with ammonia that is dumped into the water flowing to the Delta.

The author also introduces the suggestion that Californians can save "trillions of gallons of water" by altering their water use practices. Conveniently he does not mention a Center for Irrigation Technology report released in November that puts agricultural water use efficiency potential at about 330,000 acre-feet. Obegi's overly optimistic numbers come from an old CalFed report that admitted almost 3 million acre feet of agricultural "conservation" potential would mostly be the result of shorting other users, which is not true conservation.

WATER SUPPLY

Needed rain on the way to California

Blog

By Kristina Pydynowski

From AccuWeather - Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

Water bond will sink if it stays bloated

Editorial

From Sacramento Bee - Sunday Feb. 5, 2012

Proposals could mean big change for Colorado water

Story

From Capital Press - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012

Dry winter raises concerns about available water

Story

From Visalia Times-Delta - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012

Who's watching the San Joaquin River?

Announcement

From Cures

DELTA

Report: Strengthening Delta levees critical to economy

Story

From Sacramento Business Journal - Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

Nostalgic trip down Delta drifts too far from the facts

Viewpoint

By Randy Fiorini

From The Record - Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012

Solving the Delta's identity crisis

Column

By Michael Fitzgerald

From The Record - Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012

Glenn joins chorus of criticism against Delta Plan

Story

From Enterprise-Record - Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012

Poll finds few know about Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Story

From Modesto Bee - Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012

Most people in California are clueless on the Delta

Blog

By Mark Lubell

From Center for Environmental Policy and Behavior/UC Davis - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012

The striped bass saga

Blog

By Alex Breitler

From The Record - Friday, Feb. 3, 2012

FISHERIES

Group's mail campaign advocates for Yuba salmon run

Story

From Appeal-Democrat - Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012

Many grape growers plan to voluntarily comply with water rules

Story

From Press-Democrat - Friday, Feb. 3, 2012

News articles and links from Feb. 3, 2012

2012-02-03T10:23:00.001-08:00

Delta

Calif. commission rejects striped bass regulations

Story

From Fresno Bee - Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012

From KFMB/8 - Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012

From Modesto Bee - Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012

'Striper' catch increase voted down; proposal would have tripled limits

Story

From Record Searchlight - Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012

(The following response is posted to the above articles.)

Courts

Westlands Water District suing feds for $1b

Story

From Fresno Bee - Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012

Coalition response...Schifferle ignores the fact that there is a court order for the federal government to provide the drainage services that farmers have been paying for under their contracts to receive water from the

WATER SUPPLY

With meager snowpack, time is running out for rebound

Story

From The Record - Friday, Feb. 3, 2012

Sonoma County Water Agency officials declare Russian River supply 'dry'

Story

From Press Democrat - Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012

Time to focus intensely on state water bond

Viewpoint

By Sen. Darrell Steinberg

From The Planning Report - Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012

Judge postpones frost protection rules for Russian River growers