News articles and links from Nov. 30, 2010

Work on Delta conservation plan far from over

Forum

from Contra Costa Times – Monday, Nov. 29, 2010

Coalition viewpoint...Restoring the Delta ecosystem and establishing a reliable water supply benefits more than San Joaquin Valley farmers and Southern California; it also maintains water for several million in the East Bay, as pointed out by this article. Some individuals and groups overlook this critical source of water in their rush to criticize the BDCP efforts. Moving forward with a revamped conveyance plan, whether a canal or tunnel, provides the best opportunity to protect Delta fish.

Bay Delta conservation plan loses support

Story

from Sacramento Business Journal – Monday, Nov. 29, 2010

How California’s winter can be both wet and dry

Blog

from Fresno Bee – Monday, Nov. 29, 2010

Scroll down on site

By Mark Grossi

California looks for a way to save the delta, quench residents’ thirst

Story

from The Record – Monday, Nov. 29, 2010

A Water Management Agenda for the New Governor

Blog

from NRDC - Monday, Nov. 29, 2010

By Barry Nelson

The Southland’s New Water Plan

Blog

from SF Chronicle – Monday, Nov. 29, 2010

By Tom Philp

New technology to help farmers conserve water?

Story

from Western Farm Press – Monday, Nov. 29, 2010

News articles and links from Nov. 24, 2010

There are many links today that all contain information on Westlands’ decision to remove themselves from the BDCP. We strongly encourage you to take the time and look over as many as you can.

BDCP Working Draft

from BDCP – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

Department of Interior responds to Westlands

Letter

from Aquafornia – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

State Water Contractors respond to Westlands Water District’s withdrawal from the BDCP planning process

Release

from Aquafornia – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

Metropolitan Water District’s statement regarding Westlands’s and the BDCP

Release

From MWD – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

Select PDF link

Westlands pulls out of water plan

Story

from Fresno Bee – Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010

Westlands Water District yanks delta plan funding

Story

from San Francisco Chronicle – Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010

Water district pulls out of Delta coalition

Story

from Stockton Record – Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010

Westlands quits Delta habitat effort

Story

from Sacramento Bee – Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010

Westlands pulls out of delta water plan

Story

from Hanford Sentinel – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

Westlands bails out of Bay Delta Conservation Plan

Story

from Central Valley Business Times – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

Farmers pull out of Calif. delta restoration plan

Story

from Ventura County Star

Farmers pull out of Calif delta restoration plan

Story

from Mercury News – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

Farmers pull out of delta restoration plan

TV News

from California TV News – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

California Bay-Delta --- Doomed to Failure?

Blog

from Inkstain – Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010

New Hope for a Thoughtful Process in the Water Wars

Blog

from California Spigot – Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010

And Now, Will the Real BDCP Project Purpose Please Stand Up...

Blog

from NRDC – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

By Kate Poole

Westlands Water District Withdraws from BDCP Process

Blog

from Indybay newswire – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

by Dan Bacher

A whole cartload of schadenfreude for me

Blog

from Public Record – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

Westlands takes ball and goes home

Blog

from Delta National Park – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

Westlands SEC investigation urged

Letter

from Hydraulic Brotherhood – Tuesday Nov. 23, 2010

Water rights transfers bring big bucks and controversy

TV News

from California TV News – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

Coalition viewpoint... Much has been said and written about the action of Westlands Water District’s announced withdrawal from the BDCP process. Many participants involved in the BDCP process have echoed this same frustration but Westlands is the first participant to publicly act upon these frustrations. The frustration was magnified in a meeting last week in Washington, DC, in which Interior officials gathered the BDCP participants. Also invited by Interior were other interests who refused to work as partners of the BDCP planning process and instead have consistently acted to derail the efforts. When Interior officials announced the need for $100 million from water contractors to conduct further studies and could only answer with “I think we need more water” when asked by the contractors for the science to back up their request...well, it’s not difficult to understand Westlands’ response.

The BDCP planning process remains an important factor in resolving California’s water problem. Its co-equal goals of a reliable water supply and restoring the Delta environment remain just that---co-equal. Efforts to place one in front of the other will not benefit the process.

News articles and links from Nov. 23, 2010

Westlands pulls its support from BDCP in response to political interference from Interior Department

Release

from CFWC -Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

Westlands letter to Interior official

Letter

from CFWC – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

Westlands pulls out of BDCP

Blog

from Alex Breitler's San Joaquin Delta, Delta College Blog – Monday, Nov. 22, 2010

by Alex Breitler

Kern County water shift a maze of laws, utilities

Story

from SF Chronicle – Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010

Merced Irrigation District water transfers OK'd

Story

from Merced Sun Star – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

These salmon got an early start on SJ River restoration

Blog

from Fresno Bee – Monday, Nov. 22, 2010

By Marc Grossi

SJ River Restoration Program Revised Reach 4B Project Proposal and Additional Public Scoping Meeting

Release

from Reclamation – Monday, Nov. 22, 2010

La Niña may reduce California water allocations

Story

from San Francisco Chronicle – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

California issues 25 percent water-delivery forecast

Story

from Sacramento Bee – Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

State promises at least 25 percent water delivery

Story

from Bakersfield Californian – Monday, Nov. 22, 2010

Calif. water projections higher than last year

Story

from Modesto Bee – Monday, Nov. 22, 2010

STATE: Water projections higher than last year

Story

from North County Times – Monday, Nov. 22, 2010

Calif. water projections higher than last year

Story

from Ventura County Star – Monday, Nov. 22, 2010

News articles and links from Nov. 22, 2010

Peripheral canal can aid fish habitat

Viewpoint

from Sacramento Bee – Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010

By John McCamman, DFG Director

Coalition viewpoint...Those who disagree with a peripheral canal or tunnel refuse to listen to those with other viewpoints. They especially refuse to consider any scientific studies that point to any stressors other than water exports. Yet, Director McCamman uses common sense and logic to explain why a peripheral canal can aid fish habitat. We all need to listen carefully to such explanations.

Awash in ideas, not solutions

Editorial

from The Record – Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010

Coalition viewpoint...The BDCP working draft released last week is significant in that all steering committee members remained at the table throughout the entire process. This same group expressed its commitment to remain at the table in order to achieve a final draft by June/July 2011. The stakes are too high to simply throw in the towel and walk away from the process.

The Chinatown reference attributed to the EBMUD representative is startling, especially when considering that EBMUD has for years been diverting water from the Mokelumne River in huge amounts before it reaches the Delta. If we are going to reach a solution to California’s water future, then all interests and their use of water must be held accountable.

Kings County farmers land lucrative water sales

Story

from Fresno Bee – Monday, Nov. 22, 2010

Coalition viewpoint...This article correctly points out the unreliable water supply situation that farmers face as the cause of the recent sale of water rights. Water was once reliable when farmers made the decisions to plant permanent crops in response to market demands. But the recent implementation of environmental restrictions to water exports from the Delta changed everything. So, in addition to increased unemployment and fallowed acres, the sale of water rights can now be attributed to environmental restrictions.

State water politics ever more complex

Editorial

from SG Valley Tribune – Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010

Coalition viewpoint...The release of the Nov. 18 working draft for the BDCP is a significant accomplishment. Yes, more work needs to be done before the mid-2011 final draft but what should not be lost in the process is the fact that all interests involved in developing the draft remained at the table for four years and did not walk away. That is good news for California’s water future.

The frustration expressed by farmers at federal officials is understandable when considering that they and other water users have contributed over $100 million toward a reliable water supply for all of California. To be told they may not get such a supply is akin to buying a movie ticket and then being told you have to leave the theater 20 minutes after the movie begins. It doesn’t make sense.

MID will consider rate hike

Story

from Modesto Bee – Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010

Solar Energy and the Impacts on Water Supply

Viewpoint

from NA Clean Energy – Monday, Nov. 22, 2010

News articles and links from Nov. 19, 2010

Westlands Water District Says Political Appointees Should Decide Delta Flows

Blog

from IndyBay News – Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

By Dan Bacher

Westlands' Version of Scienciness: May the Biggest Politician Win

Blog

from Blogs – Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

by Kate Poole, NRDC

Coalition viewpoint...Wait a minute. I thought the party line from the environmental critics of the BDCP process was that it was going to build a peripheral canal? Now you are citing the concerns from an agricultural viewpoint that there will be less water available. Which is it? These critics continue to include false information in their statements, such as ignoring recent federal scientific reports that point to ocean conditions as the greater cause for dwindling salmon numbers than water exports. These viewpoints only serve an agenda that is intent on taking water from farmers who are growing the food we all need.

Delta plan churns up concerns

from Fresno Bee – Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

Delta plan churns up concerns

Story

from Sacramento Bee – Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

Paradox of the day: Can a draft be finished?

Blog

from Alex Breitler's San Joaquin Delta, Delta College Blog – Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

by Alex Breitler

Delta Recovery Plan Set for Release Amid Political Backbiting

Story

from NYTimes – Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

An Outsider's Perspective on the Past Four Years, and the Next Few Years, of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) Process

Blog

from Blogs – Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

by Doug Obegi, NRDC

Glenn begins update to groundwater program

Story

from Chico ER – Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

Big Chinook run on the Eel River this year

Story

from Eureka Times-Standard – Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

Federal Appeals Court Considers Key Question in Klamath Water Case

Press Release

From Earthjustice – Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

News articles and links from Nov. 18, 2010

Lester Snow Announces Release of Delta Plan Reports

Blog

from Indybay newswire – Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010

by Dan Bacher

Where’s the Beef?

Blog

From Restore the Delta - Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010

Coalition viewpoint...The document scheduled for release today is a step forward in determining the fate of the BDCP. It is not the final draft, that is scheduled for release in mid-2011. Resources Secretary Lester Snow made a very important statement during the hearing that has gone unrecognized by critics of the plan---fish agencies have favored an intake for water diversions in the north Delta to reduce threats to fish. In other words, a peripheral canal that is so demonized by these critics would actually help the fish they are supposedly trying to protect.

The craft of parsing

Blog

from Delta National Park - Blog – Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010

Coalition viewpoint...“Junior water rights” have caused too much confusion when people think they know what it means. Water rights are based on contracts, in this case between Westlands and the Bureau of Reclamation that operates the Central Valley Project. These “rights” are the same for all users of CVP water. Some users, may receive a greater percentage of their contracted water than others but that does not mean they get water when others do not. The “right” to receive water is spread evenly throughout the CVP water users. There are no “junior” water rights in the CVP system.

Why is it so hard to accept the facts about the exchange of water between Westlands and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California? The odds were great that Westlands would lose this water before its farmers could use it next year because of federal operating guidelines of San Luis Reservoir. It was either take it or likely lose it. Doesn’t it make good business sense to send it to MWD and take a share of MWD’s water during next year to replace a portion of the “exchanged” water? At least they are getting some water with which to grow their crops instead of being left with an empty bucket. No money was involved in this transaction, only good business sense.

Westlands “badlands” need to go out of production?

Blog

from Chronicles of the Hydraulic Brotherhood – Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

By Lloyd Carter

Coalition viewpoint...EWG continues its efforts to bash farmers for growing the food that feeds people and supports the economy. Their analysis of farming along the Westside of the San Joaquin Valley fails to include the benefits of rural California that includes providing jobs for thousands and economically supporting the rural communities. Their myopic view on Westside farming causes to many negative impacts to not only the people of the Westside but also to all Californians.

Chances of prolonged La Nina more than 50%

Story

from SD Union-Tribune – Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010

Budget concerns expressed at IID public forum

Story

from IV Press – Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

Interagency consortium aims to raise All-American Canal awareness

Story

from IV Press – Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

News articles and links from Nov. 17, 2010

American River salmon numbers a big improvement over last year

Blog

from Indy Bay Media – Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010

By Dan Bacher

Coalition viewpoint...Fishing groups and environmental organizations refuse to accept federal biologists’ studies that point to depleted food supply in the ocean caused by warming temperatures as a greater negative impact on salmon than export pumps at the south of the Delta. They are establishing ground rules that if the science does not agree with their opinion, then the science must be wrong. This type of thinking will not move California any closer to a solution to the water problems that currently grip our state, which is probably their goal.

Delta death

Commentary

from SF Bay Guardian - Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010

by Patrick Porgans and Lloyd Carter

Coalition viewpoint...Why waste time with all the words when these authors could shorten their message and simply say they want to shut down farmers along the San Joaquin Valley Westside? They clearly champion that statement in this commentary while ignoring the positive efforts taken by farming interests to reduce drainage into the San Joaquin River. Government officials acknowledged these positive efforts as part of their decision to extend a deadline that enables the drainage efforts to move forward.

Delta canal agenda put off again

Story

from The Record – Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010

Would BDCP staff accept “dots” instead of dollars in their paychecks?

Blog

from Valley Economy – Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010

By Jeffrey Michael, UOP

Water forum gets update on state plans

Story

from Chico Enterprise Record – Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010

EDF Testimony for Bay Delta Conservation Plan Hearing

Blog

From Environmental Defense Fund – Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010

By Cynthia L. Koehler

News articles and links from Nov. 16, 2010

Bay Area coalition calls delta plan a water grab

Story

from San Francisco Chronicle – Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010

Coalition viewpoint...There are numerous assumptions in this article that opens the door to wide-ranging comments that are not based on facts. It is easy to write and respond to claims that south-of-Delta water users will “increase” their water deliveries. Yet, the fact is that water deliveries are controlled by contracts already in place. Any supposed “increase” would have to go through a public review process.

The two goals of the BDCP is not a “consistent freshwater supply for exporters and removal of in-delta pumps that kill millions of protected fish and resulted in a federal order limiting diversions.” The factual goals are a reliable water supply and a restoration of the Delta environment. It will take all water users---upstream, downstream, in-Delta and others---to realize these two very important goals.

Central Valley Water Board’s letter to Senator Steinberg regarding Sacramento sanitation permit

Blog

from Aquafornia – Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010

Biologists curious over fish out of their own water

Story

from Stockton Record – Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010

Close watch on salmon spawning may predict 2011 fishing season’s success

Story

from Indian Country Today – Monday, Nov. 15, 2010

State launches groundwater program website

Story

from Sacramento Bee – Monday, Nov. 15, 2010

How might the Klamath agreements affect the local economy?

Story

from Siskiyou Daily News – Monday, Nov. 15, 2010

Cutting water flow hurts food supply

Letter

from Mercury News – Monday, Nov. 15, 2010

A little perspective on latest farm-to-city water deal

Blog

From Fresno Bee – Monday, Nov. 15, 2010

Federal Agencies Collaborate to Provide Funding Opportunity for Bay-Delta Water Efficiencies

Release

from Bureau of Reclamation – Monday, Nov. 15, 2010

News articles and links from Nov. 15, 2010

Area sanitation permit needs proper review

Editorial

from Sacramento Bee – Monday, Nov. 15, 2010

Coalition viewpoint...Water users south of the Delta that have been held to stringent regulations designed to protect the Delta are right to demand improvements from the Sacramento wastewater treatment plant. The focus of regulators should be to fix the problems where they are known to exist and not let one area off the hook while other areas are held to task. Regulators need to keep their eye on the ball and not get distracted. If Sacramento’s waste is harming the Delta then they should clean it up.

Attack on valley water district misinformed

Viewpoint

from Sacramento Bee – Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010

Delta solution is bypass canal

Letter

from Sacramento Bee – Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010

Scroll down

Salmon make a comeback in Central Valley rivers

Story

from Sacramento Bee – Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010

Behind the Klamath Curtain: Managing Water and Endangered Species

Blog

from Klamblog – Friday, Nov. 12, 2010

How to transition the BDCP into making real progress for California

Letter

By Planning & Conservation League, et. al. – Monday, Nov. 8, 2010