Groundwater
Story
Coalition response...For years farmers have been concerned with the overdraft situation of
their water supplies from the aquifers. This concern was one reason why
Californians supported the construction of the State Water Project and the
federal Central Valley Project that delivered surface water to farms, homes and
businesses. Dependable surface water supplies enabled farmers to turn off their
irrigation pumps that lifted water from the aquifer to their fields. The water
from the aquifer remained as an insurance policy when years of drought
diminished the supply of surface water. However, environmental regulations that
restrict water flowing through the Delta to Central Valley farms have caused
farmers to increase groundwater use to keep their farms productive. The
solution to much of California's groundwater problem is to fix the surface
water problem. Governor Brown's recent announcement to move forward with water
supply reliability and ecosystem restoration projects will go a long way to
improve the situation for California's groundwater.
Delta
Editorial
Coalition response...There are many loud and strident voices critical of the Governor's plan
to fix water conveyance through the Delta, which is a major problem area for
the State's water supply. Questioning his efforts by demanding balance and
compromise misses the point of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, which is
exactly that: balance and compromise. Farm water supplies have been severely
cut in recent years because of environmental restrictions and drought. That
limits farmers' ability to grow the food the rest of us depend on. At the same
time regulations intended to help struggling fish populations have completely
failed. What's wrong here? Clearly the Governor sees a path toward habitat
restoration and water supply reliability that others are afraid to take.
Instead of sticking with the failed policies of yesterday, its time to move
forward with a science-based plan that serves the needs of water users and the
environment.
Letter
Coalition response...Current plans call for water to be released from the proposed tunnels
at multiple points through the Delta, which will benefit water quality and help
return the Delta to a more natural east-west flow pattern. Separating water
used to grow food and to meet the water supply needs of 25 million Californians
from the water needed for fish is common sense. That's what the Delta
tunnels are designed to do. The proposal, as announced last week, is not
a finished product; additional studies that will help define ecosystem
improvements along with improved water supply reliability are underway and will
likely answer the concerns of this letter-writer.
Editorial
Coalition response...While this editorial may focus on the Governor's attitude, some of its
claims relating to the Governor's proposal for the Delta is off base. How much
water will be allowed to flow through the proposed tunnels? That number is not
known at this time but what is known is that the amount of water will be based
on both ecosystem requirements as well as water supply contracts. Claims of 50%
increases and even more by some critics fail to recognize this important fact.
Also, that $150 million that has been spent so far in bringing the BDCP to
where it is today...that money has come from water suppliers and not the
taxpayers.
Editorial
Coalition response..Missing from this editorial is the reliability in a dependable water
supply that is needed to provide water to 25 million Californians and farmers
who produce a food supply for all of us. Even the Santa Clara Valley Water
District recognizes the benefits new Delta conveyance will provide to Bay Area
residents. Strengthening the levees is a good action to undertake but
there is much more involved in resolving the problems of the Delta. As noted by
Gov. Brown and U.S. Interior Secretary Salazar during their announcement last
week, much more work needs to be done to reach a restored Delta ecosystem and a
reliable supply of water that flows through the Delta.
WATER SUPPLY
Viewpoint
By Bob Fisher and Lester Snow
Story
Editorial
By Amy Maris
Opinion
By Roger C. Bales
.
Letter
Story
DELTA
Story
Column
By George Skelton
Column
By Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross
Story
Story
Story
Story
Viewpoint
By Sen. Lois Wolk
Blog
By John Bass
FISHERIES
Opinion
By Hayley Hutt
