Farm Water News: October 2011

(The following response is posted to the above articles.)   Coalition response...The BDCP memorandum of agreement is misunderstood by those raising objections to the inclusion of the public water agencies' new role. The public water agencies are not granted a controlling role in the process. That role remains with the Federal Lead Agencies---Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service and the California Department of Water Resources.

Preparation of a habitat conservation plan, which is the function of the BDCP planning efforts, is typically an applicant-driven process that also involves the applicant to pay for the HCP, which is ultimately subject to review and approval of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The public water agencies have already paid $140 million and are expected to add another $100 million to that total to complete the BDCP.

Adding the public water agencies to permittee status for the BDCP follows an already-established practice. This happened previously in California in the development of the Colorado River HCP.

Again, the control that many fear has been bestowed upon the public water agencies does not exist because it would be contrary to law.

WATER SUPPLY

Massive California farm-to-city water deal snared in litigation

Story

From LA Times - Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011

From Western Farm Press - Monday, Oct. 31, 2011

Modesto Irrigation District water deal stirs up debate

Story

From Modesto Bee - Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011

DELTA

Supreme Court declines to hear farmers' challenge to delta smelt protections

Blog

By Michael Doyle

From Fresno Bee News Blog - Monday, Oct. 31, 2011

High Court declines smelt case, but PLF's "save our water" fight continues

Press release

From Pacific Legal Foundation - Monday, Oct. 31, 2011

Delta: $5.5B economic engine

Opinion

By Dennis Wyatt

From Manteca Bulletin - Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011

Be careful what you wish for

Blog

By John Bass

From Delta National Park - Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011

Bill averts disaster while protecting California's water

Opinion

By Sen. Michael Rubio

From Hanford Sentinel - Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011

WATER QUALITY

Calfornia farmers face future of grueling water regulations

Story

From Western Farm Press - Monday, Oct. 31, 2011

FISHERIES

Conservation of rivers key to protecting wild salmon

Viewpoint

By John Spencer

From Record Searchlight - Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011

Friday, October 28, 2011

Delta

Bad science leads to bad policy, no matter your political beliefs
Blog
By Peter Gleick

Coalition response...We agree with with the points Peter Gleick makes in this column about the pervasive use of bad science. Another example of this exhibited by federal agencies is the rule making that has reduced pumping in the Sacramento-San Joaquin river Delta to supposedly protect fish species. Former federal Judge Oliver Wanger consulted with other scientists during his deliberations before ruling that the biological opinions governing the pumping of water through the Delta was "bad science" and ordered that they be rewritten. It was amazing to read that 10 days after Wanger spoke from the bench on the conduct of the two scientists instrumental in writing the rules, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service honored these same scientists with achievement awards, including cash. It makes you wonder how serious federal agencies are about using good science.

This action by FWS mirrors the National Park Service efforts relating to the oyster farm that the author writes about. NPS ignores other important studies in an attempt to push through their own agenda.

It is not often that we agree with the author but his call to reign in federal agencies that base their actions on bad science is commendable.

OTHER NEWS

WATER SUPPLY

Property tax could go to restore Salton Sea
Story

California almonds a positive tale of agricultural water use
Story

MID water sale meetings draw a strong response
Story

Water being transferred to a city

Letter

Only sell water for ag purposes

Letter

At least check out this proposal

Letter

Inside OID's successful water transfer

Viewpoint

Reclamation announces 2011 Integrated Annual Review of Coordinated Operation of the CVP and SWP

Release

Concerns, support over Klamath dam removal continue

Story

DELTA

State Water Board to receive Delta watermaster report

Announcement

New plan sustains importance of agriculture to Delta

Story

Delta Plan today
Blog
By Alex Breitler

Lawsuit link
Blog

Thursday, October 27, 2011

News articles and links from Oct. 27, 2011

WATER SUPPLY

Delta is key to California's economy

Opinion

By A.G. Kawamura

From Orange County Register - Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

Did California overreach in promising to help the Salton Sea?

Story

From NY Times - Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

Dead avocado groves may pose wildfire danger; high price of water forcing some avocado growers to shut off valves, leaving dry trees

TV news

From ABC/10 - Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011

State's water storage examined at Water Commission workshop

Story

From ACWA - Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011

DELTA

Lawsuit revives wetlands fight

Story

From The Record - Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

FISHERIES

Researchers Find Salmon Vital To Biodiversity in California

Radio news

From Capital Public Radio - Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

Growing Rice - And Salmon

Blog

By Tom Philp

From SF Chronicle - Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011

Chinook salmon returning to Russian River in near-record numbers

Story

From Press Democrat - Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

News articles and links from Oct. 26, 2011

Delta

Delta plan critics see conflict of interest in state use of water agency employee

Story

From Contra Costa Times - Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011

Water boss's role shifts

Blog

By Alex Breitler

From Record Blog - Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011

State hires water contractor rep to help oversee Bay-Delta plan; Delta advocates say King Moon has conflict of interest

Blog

By Dan Bacher

From IndyBay Media - Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011

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

Coalition response...DWR has reached out and appointed an individual with extensive knowledge of the BDCP in order to move it toward completion. It is not surprising that opponents of the BDCP object to the appointment of Laura King Moon because of her past involvement with the State Water Contractors. Resources Secretary John Laird makes it very clear that Moon's efforts will be solely focused on BDCP and she will be accountable to DWR. This is a good move when one considers the potential outcome of a successful BDCP that will provide water to 25 million Californians and the production of a safe and healthy supply of food.

WATER SUPPLY

Modesto Irrigation District water sale is decried

Story

From Modesto Bee - Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011

Dam removal debate rages in Siskiyou County

Story

From Captial Press - Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011

Ethics of agricultural water transfers

Blog

By Dave Groenfeldt

From Water Culture - Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011

DELTA

Federal agency congratulates itself for illegal delta smelt biop

Blog

By Brandon Middleton

From Pacific Legal Foundation - Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011

GROUNDWATER

MID: Winton basin's performance meets goal

Story

From Merced Sun-Star - Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

News articles and links from Oct. 25, 2011

Delta

Representatives raise objections to Delta planning agreement

Story

From The Record - Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011

Rescind Delta plan oversight agreement, U.S. lawmakers demand

Story

From Contra Costa Times - Monday, Oct. 24, 2011

From Mercury News - Monday, Oct. 24, 2011

Northern California Dems blast Obama team on water plans

Blog

From Sacramento Bee Blog - Monday, Oct. 24, 2011

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

Coalition response...Water users have already spent $140 million in developing the BDCP and they are being asked for another hundred million. To blindly go forward and keep writing checks without some kind of assurance that their expenditure won't lead to reduced water supply or reliability is unreasonable. It is mystifying why objections are now being voiced when it was alright to take the water users' money before assurances were requested. These objections are another maneuver by those groups that oppose water flowing through the Delta to 25 million Californians and the growing of a safe and reliable food supply. These objectionists are not providing the required funding to complete the BDCP. To give these groups carte blanche control of California's future water supply is to all but guarantee that California and its citizens have less water in the future.

WATER SUPPLY

Informing and educating the public and water community about water issues in Kern County

Announcement: New web site

From Water Association of Kern County - Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011

Wetter winter predicted for north state

Story

From Record Searchlight - Monday, Oct. 24, 2011

Modesto district's proposed water deal with San Francisco would net millions

Story

From Modesto Bee - Monday, Oct. 24, 2011

Almost 300 attend Klamath dams hearing

Story

From Siskiyou Daily News - Monday, Oct. 24, 2011

Sheriffs will speak to farmers, activists; Defend Rural America event set in Yreka

Story

From Record Searchlight - Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011

DELTA

Scrutinized scientist gets award

Blog

By Alex Breitler

From Record Blog - Monday, Oct. 24, 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

News articles and links from Oct. 24, 2011

Delta

Reps, residents and ranchers worry about water exporters control over Delta plan

Story

From SF Examiner - Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011

Coalition response...Water exporters have already spent $140 million in developing the BDCP and they are being asked for another hundred million. To blindly go forward and keep writing checks without some kind of assurance that their expenditure won't lead to reduced water supply or reliability is unreasonable. Opponents to water flowing through the Delta to 25 million Californians and the growing of a safe and reliable food supply have a long record of just saying "no." These same opponents are not providing the required funding to complete the BDCP. To give these opponents carte blanche control of California's future water supply is to all but guarantee that California and its citizens have less water in the future.

WATER SUPPLY

Colorado River law: Time for change?

Story

From Pueblo Chieftain - Monday, Oct. 24, 2011

Empty fields fill urban basins and farmers' pockets

Story

From NY Times - Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011

Look carefully at MID water plan

Editorial

From Modesto Bee - Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011

Kern County Water Agency Hosts Vision 2061 Statewide Water Summit

Story

From Market Watch - Friday, Oct. 21, 2011

Kern County Water Agency Turns 50

TV news

From KERO/23 - Friday, Oct. 21, 2011

DELTA

Where are the feds?

Letter

From Sacramento Bee - Monday, Oct. 24, 2011

State unleashes goon squad

Letter

From Sacramento Bee - Monday, Oct. 24, 2011

What's behind the Bay Delta Conservation Plan process?

Blog

By John Fleck

From Inkstain - Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011

Delta plan must ensure supply

Editorial

From Daily Bulletin - Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011

Wandering in the House of Mirrors with the CWC

Blog

By RTDJess

From Restore the Delta - Friday, Oct. 21, 2011

What Else DWR Doesn't Want Us to Know

Blog

By RTDJess

From Restore the Delta - Friday, Oct. 21, 2011

Sobering thoughts: Reconciling California's water expectations with reality

Blog

By RTDJess

From Restore the Delta - Friday, Oct. 21, 2011

Delta plan highlights importance of ag

Story

From SJ Farm Bureau - October 2011

FISHERIES

Salmon restoration should help, not hurt, ranchers

Commentary

By Caleen Sisk-Franco

From Record Searchlight - Sunday, October 23, 2011

Friday, October 21, 2011

News articles and links from Oct. 21, 2011

WATER SUPPLY

Clean air and the price of water

Editorial

From SD Union-Tribune - Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011

DELTA

Resources from Wednesday's BDCP hearing now available online

Video

From Aquafornia - Friday, Oct. 21, 2011

Draft delta plan is bad for Northern California

Viewpoint

From Roseville Press Tribune - Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011

FISHERIES

Salmon numbers rising in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Story

From FIS - Wednesday, Oct. 19 2011

Thursday, October 20, 2011

News articles and links from Oct. 20, 2011

Delta

Water agencies seek to control Delta project studies

Story

From Contra Costa Times - Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011

From San Jose Mercury News - Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011

Coalition response...It is disappointing that Senator Wolk seems to believe that California's potential for achievement is behind us. That kind of thinking will keep all of California shackled to this painful recession. Is that what she wants?

Some of California's great projects were built during the depression and just after it. Some economists credit the great projects with leading the country out of the depression. President Obama has made reinvestment in large infrastructure projects a centerpiece of his jobs creation bill. Pat Brown built the highway system, the university system and the water system.

We won't get out of this recession by wringing our hands. Better to choose vision, forward thinking, hope...and action.

WATER SUPPLY

Western water crisis triggers 2012 summits

Story

From Western Farm Press - Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011

Divisions persist in Klamath Basin over project

Story

From Capital Press - Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011

California water groups discuss ag transfers Oct. 26

Story

From Western Farm Press - Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011

DELTA