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
