House OKs water measures for Central Valley

STOCKTON
October 1, 2009 1:50pm

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a conference report for the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill that includes two items designed to increase the availability of water from the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta to users south of the Delta.

The bill includes two provisions authored by Reps. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, and his colleague Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, aimed at increasing water flows to San Joaquin Valley farmers.



“As I have said before, we all would like to see the pumps permanently ‘turned on’ throughout the entire growing season and ensure that water is flowing from the San Joaquin Delta to our farmers. Because it has become abundantly clear this strategy is not working, common sense dictates we need to pursue other workable options,” says Mr. Cardoza. “These practical amendments are a significant means to help us address our water needs in the Valley.”



The first provision will make it easier for water to be transferred from one county to another. Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation restricts such transfers.

The amendment also directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a recovery plan for the giant garter snake, an endangered species. A recovery plan will help water transfers, the congressman says.



The second provision provides $10 million in increased funding for the California Bay-Delta Restoration Program, which will help fund water projects such as the Two Gates and the Intertie projects.

These projects will help to convey and transfer water to the people and farms most impacted by the shortage, the congressmen say.





Elsewhere on the water front:

• Argument are scheduled in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Fresno on Friday on a challenge to the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Biological Opinion on the delta smelt.

• U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., says she welcomes the Obama Administration’s decision to commission an independent review of the biological opinions that govern water flows in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The study will be conducted by the National Academy of Sciences.

“The National Academy study will assess whether there are ways to provide the same protections for endangered species while supplying more water to the drought-stricken Central Valley. And it will put to rest any lingering questions about whether pumping restrictions in the Delta are based on the best-available science,” says Ms. Feinstein.

• U.S. Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, says a meeting this week with Department of the Interior Secretary Salazar and key Department of the Interior staff on California drought disaster was encouraging.

“Today’s meeting was helpful, and Secretary Salazar should be commended for holding the meeting, but what has taken the Department of the Interior so long to act?” says Mr. Costa. “It is clear to me that the Department of the Interior simply does not understand the severity of California’s water crisis. Every day, I listen to Valley farmers and community leaders begging for a solution to the crisis. But, there’s been little action from the Department of the Interior and the Administration.

“The faces I see in the San Joaquin Valley cannot wait for another study; they cannot wait for infrastructure; and they cannot wait on ‘hope.’”

• California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he supports the study by the National Academy of Sciences.

“Californians are suffering from an extreme water crisis due to a three-year drought and two federal biological opinions that have shut off the water pumps to parched families, farmers and workers,” he says.

He also says he hopes the federal government will approve his request for a disaster declaration for Fresno County “to relieve the suffering in the near-term.”

• Six federal agencies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that reestablishes federal leadership on California Bay Delta issues, including active involvement in on-going state efforts, such as the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, to help provide an assured water supply while restoring the environmental integrity of the Bay Delta.

• U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, says it will be important for those trying to solve the water problems to listen to the needs and concerns of those living in the Delta.

“The Delta is one of our area’s most precious resources and has a far reaching impact across the state and nation. However, as this process unfolds, Delta communities must have the opportunity to offer input on any significant decisions and officials must be responsive to these concerns,” Mr. McNerney says. “Our voices will be heard.”

• The new “water year” for California started Oct. 1, and it’s off to a dry start. As of Sept. 1, statewide precipitation was at 85 percent for the year. Water Year 2007-08 was even drier, resulting in only 63 percent of average annual precipitation. Water Year 2008-09 was slightly better, bringing 72 percent of average annual precipitation.

"After three years of dry weather, we are preparing for the likelihood that we are entering a fourth year of drought in 2010," says California Department of Water Resources Director Lester Snow. "Regardless of the weather outcome, it is critical that Californians continue to conserve as much water as we can to help stretch our water supply."

The DWR claims that statewide reservoir storage currently is at 70 percent of average for this time of year, with individual key reservoirs much lower. Eight of the state's 12 major reservoirs are at 50 percent of capacity or below. San Luis Reservoir near Los Banos is in the worst shape, at just 21 percent of capacity.

As of September 1, statewide runoff was at 65 percent of average with both the Sacramento and San Joaquin River regions being classified as "dry," the second driest of five classification levels.

State drought emergencies have been declared in Fresno, Mendocino, Humboldt and Kings counties. Last week, the federal government declared drought emergencies in 50 of California's 58 counties.