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

Delta water diversions reduced to protect smelt

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 annual 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.