Hundreds of Californians concerned about the state water board’s Bay-Delta Water Quality Plan assembled Monday in Sacramento to ensure their voices were heard. Coming together from throughout the state, and bridging the political spectrum, they were united by their conviction that the State Water Resources Control Board’s plan is a bad deal for California. While […]
Salmon need help in California, but what kind?
Salmon need help in California, but what kind? Salmon need help in California. Unfortunately, L.A. Times opinion writer, Michael Hiltzik, isn’t doing them any favors by furthering the notion that more water in the Delta’s sterile waterways is the solution. Hiltzik completely ignores the economic consequences that have devastated San Joaquin Valley farms, farmworkers, and […]
The solution to pollution is not, in fact, dilution.
The solution to pollution is not, in fact, dilution. While a catchy phrase, scientific and other experts generally agree that the “solution to pollution is dilution” approach leaves much to be desired. Relying on dilution to solve the Delta’s water quality problems is at best wasteful of this precious resource, and at worst destructive to […]
Nutria- Another danger to California’s water
Nutria are back in California Nutria, an introduced rodent once thought eliminated from California, is the latest of a string of dangerous invasive species wreaking havoc in California’s critically-important Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The nutria, like many other destructive non-native species (large-mouth and striped bass, Asian clam, Chinese Mitten crab, Quagga mussels and Nerodia water snakes, […]
Water: Time for a Fresh Look at What Works, What Doesn’t and What to Do About It
Water: Time for a Fresh Look at What Works, What Doesn’t and What to Do About It For decades, California has been stuck in a Groundhog-Day-like water debate that pits fish and the environment against humans, farms and other water needs. Presented as a zero-sum game, we are told it is necessary for one set […]
Salmon can thrive without State’s unimpaired flow plan
Peter Fimrite’s story in the San Francisco Chronicle (http://bit.ly/2AOyfBh) brings a positive message about higher numbers of this year’s Fall run Chinook salmon on the Mokelumne River. According to Fimrite, near record numbers of fish have returned, thanks to efforts behind stream bed and habitat improvements. Interestingly, this success has been achieved without a massive […]
Updating the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan
SWRCB updating Bay-Delta Water Quality Plan and SED In 2016, California’s State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) began the process of updating the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan. The public comment period officially closed at noon on March 17. (Read CFWC’s comment letter here.) During that time, loud and sustained objections to the proposed policy have […]
Reactions to State Board Unimpaired Flows Action
Reactions to State Board Unimpaired Flows Action On September 15, the State Water Resources Control Board released an updated proposal for the Bay Delta Water Quality Plan, expanding the pursuit of increased flow in it’s approach for addressing species decline in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River system. “If implemented, the State Water Board’s rule will have […]
Response to the State Water Control Board’s Water Quality Control Plan
The State Water Resources Control Board has released its Water Quality Control Plan which, if implemented, will cause significant harm to California residents without quantifying any specific environmental benefits. In taking this step, Felicia Marcus, the Board’s Chairwoman noted that San Joaquin River flows have not been updated since 1995. We fully agree it’s time that state […]
Statement on the upcoming release of proposed flow standards for tributaries to the San Joaquin River
Statement by California Farm Water Coalition Executive Director Mike Wade on the upcoming release of proposed flow standards for tributaries to the San Joaquin River California officials are on the verge of releasing new water regulations that would cause significant harm to California residents without quantifying any specific environmental benefits. The State Water Resources Control […]