News articles and links from Jan. 9, 2012

Water supply

Water barons will corner market in new 'Chinatown'

Viewpoint

By Patricia Schifferle

From Sacramento Bee - Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012

Coalition response...This author presents a whimsical portrayal of legislation approved by the U.S. Congress in relation to water transfers. This article omits numerous facts in an attempt to present a scenario designed to inflame public opinion. Consider:

1. Westlands Water District maintains a policy that is strictly enforced that does not allow its water to be sold out of the district.

2. California was struggling in its efforts to develop the Kern Water Bank and it was only after local public water agencies gave up a portion of their water rights in exchange for the KWB that it became successful in providing the flexibility that has served water users throughout our state.

3. The identified "high water flows" that are described as available for transfer is water above what is required for environmental purposes and existing contracts. Otherwise, it would flow to the Pacific Ocean with no measurable benefit.

4. The attempt to characterize water from the federal CVP as "subsidized" fails to explain what this subsidy truly is...a decision by Congress to waive the interest charges on the construction costs for the CVP, a decision that has been repaid many times over in the form of a healthy and safe supply of food.

5. These legal water transfers from willing sellers to willing buyers and approved by the State of California have helped improve the flexibility of the state's water supply at a time when obstructionists like Shifferle are standing in the way of other solutions.

The rhetoric by this author is misleading and does nothing to enhance the public debate over water supply.

WATER SUPPLY

We must fight for our water in Stanislaus County

Letter

From Modesto Bee - Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012

MID not ready yet for vote on sale of Tuolumne River water

Editorial

From Modesto Bee - Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012

Counties to talk water issues

Story

From Corning Observer - Friday, Jan. 6, 2012

Water-bond bloat

Editorial

From Press-Enterprise - Friday, Jan. 6, 2012

Blue sky blues after a very dry December

Blog

by Spreck Rosekrans

From EDF - Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012

DELTA

When examining new delta smelt panel report, proceed with caution

Blog

By Brandon Middleton

From PLF - Monday, Jan. 9, 2012

Delta smelt attorney goes before top court

Story

From Fresno Bee - Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012

Public hearings are set this month on Delta Plan

Story

From Sacramento Bee - Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012

Delta plan, an inside job, needs legislative scrutiny

Viewpoint

By Assemblymember Alyson Huber

From Sacramento Bee - Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012

Fixing the delta: How much are Southern California water users willing to pay?

Story

From Ventura County Star - Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012