News articles and links from February 11, 2013

Delta

Delta water diversions reduced to protect smelt

Story

From Sacramento Bee - Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013

Coalition response...More than 727,000 acre-feet of water have been lost over the two months since cutbacks began on December 7. That's 237 BILLION gallons of water that could have been used to grow close to a billion dollars worth of crops or meet the household water supply needs of 4.2 million people. Water deliveries have been cut drastically under orders from fishery managers using rules designed to protect the Delta smelt. Sadly these regulations aren't working to protect the fish they were intended to help. Despite 20 years of restricted water deliveries to farms, homes and businesses, Delta smelt continue to struggle. Its time we take a sensible look at how we provide for the ecosystem while supporting farms, jobs, consumers  -- and the nation's food supply.

Brown talks up Delta tunnels

Editorial

From Stockton Record - Monday, Feb. 11, 2013

Coalition response...Gov. Brown's assurances of protecting water rights of those in the Sacramento Valley follows the California Water Code, which states that no new project may negatively impact existing water rights. Whether those water rights are up north or in the Delta makes no difference. The law protects any water right that exists today.

The financing plan for the tunnels calls for those who benefit from the project to pay the cost. This beneficiary pays approach means that water users pay the costs of the project associated with water supply. Public funds expended for the project are related to the benefits received by the public.

Water supply

Salmon's return a long project, raises concerns

Column

By Steve Carson

From Chico Enterprise-Record - Friday, Feb. 8, 2013

Coalition response...In 2010 the flows down the river were increased to monitor what would happen. Federal officials had been warned by local water districts and farmers that the results could be damaging. These flows seeped from the river and caused damage to nearby orchards.

Two years later Reclamation paid the landowner for the damages. Meanwhile, flows in the seepage prone areas cannot resume until mitigation measures are installed.

Taking spring-run salmon from the Feather River Hatchery and placing them into the San Joaquin River before the completion of planned infrastructure projects is putting the proverbial cart before the horse and will jeopardize the salmon's survival.

WATER SUPPLY

(The following story was previously published in the Stockton Record.)

Valley refuge plan sparks opposition

Story

From Modesto Bee - Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

DELTA

Delta plan looks at big picture

Letter

From Chico Enterprise-Record - Friday, Feb. 8, 2013