From News Line, a daily compilation of farm water news distributed to CFWC members and others upon request. To receive News Line, click here.

Fattening levees more effective protection for water supply, says group

Coalition response…The State has invested $300 million since 2005 to strengthen Delta levees and water officials report that those investments will continue. However, according to DWR Director Mark Cowin, “…to rely solely on levees to safeguard a water supply critical to the state’s nearly $2 trillion economy would be negligent.” We agree.

One of the goals for the Bay Delta Conservation Plan is to establish a reliable water supply. If improved conveyance is not part of the future then only strengthening levees will not provide that reliable water supply. It is important to realize that the current movement of water through the Delta is subject to federal biological opinions that have already taken 815,000 acre-feet of water since early December away from farmers and 25 million Californians (farmwater.org/watersupplycutshurtusall.pdf).

If the legislative mandated goals of a reliable water supply and a restored Delta ecosystem is to be achieved, then an improved conveyance system must be a part of California’s water future.