The science is right: Salmon, Delta Smelt and other fish populations are at risk of becoming extinct
Blog
By Zeke Grader
From SF Chronicle - Monday, Sept. 26, 2011
Coalition response...Claiming low population numbers for salmon, Delta smelt and other fish populations as a link to pending extinctions rings hollow when compared to current reports from our rivers. DFG Northern Region Manager Neil Manji reports that "recreational fishermen have taken their full allotted quota (of salmon) already." He goes on to say that "there's more fish in the (Klamath) river this year." Dan Bacher writes in a Marysville Appeal Democrat column that fishing "has improved dramatically" along the Sacramento River. Accusations earlier this year that the Delta pumps were killing millions of fish were met by federal biologists with an explanation that the occurrence was a result of dramatically increased populations resulted from this year's weather pattern. Again, claiming pending extinction ignores real world numbers.
Chiding U.S.District Court Judge Oliver Wanger for his recent courtroom decision is outrageous. In 2007 when the judge ruled against water users and called for less water to be pumped through the Delta to farms and 25 million Californians, the response was one of acclaim by environmental and fishery representatives. Judge Wanger concluded in his recent ruling that federal scientists trumpeting extinction is near for Delta smelt actually contradicted themselves with one another's testimony. His ruling that actions by the scientists and federal agencies in formulating the biological opinions that govern water flowing through the Delta as "unlawful" and "bad science" were based on bias and ineptitude of the scientists.
This backhanded slap at Judge Wanger is unwarranted. Even Bill Jennings of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance said of Wanger in an Associated Press article this week, "We have found him to be a fair judge who addresses what is before him."
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WATER SUPPLY
San Joaquin River Restoration program receives 2011 Partners in Conservation Award from Interior
Blog
By Doug Obegi
From NRDC - Monday, Sept. 26, 2011
DELTA
Blog
From Bay Delta Blog - Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011
Burbank to host meeting on impacts of San Joaquin River Delta
Story
From Glendale News-Press - Monday, Sept. 26, 2011
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