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2009 legal and political impacts of California water supply on development: “those in the development industry need to become actively involved with the policies and actions taken by local water districts and community services districts,” advises commentary

Posted by: Maven on August 14, 2009 at 11:29 pm

From GlobeSt.com, a real estate news website, this commentary by Sean Sherlock:

“Water supply continues to be a critical issue for development in Southern California, and at present there is no reason to believe things will get better anytime soon. To avoid or minimize these potential consequences, those in the development industry need to become actively involved with the policies and actions taken by local water districts and community services districts.

California is in its third year of drought, with annual precipitation running about 60% to 70% of normal over each of the last three years. As a result, reservoir levels are steadily declining. At the same time, a series of court and regulatory actions focused on protecting the Delta Smelt have curtailed water exports from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Continuing litigation by the federal government and environmental groups in NRDC v. Kempthorne, as well as the recent federal biological opinion for salmon, steelhead and other migratory species in the Bay Delta, will keep pressure on water exports from the Bay Delta.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California expects the restrictions resulting from these actions to reduce deliveries from the Bay Delta by as much as 40%. The impact of these reductions will be felt hardest in districts that lack significant groundwater supplies and are heavily dependent on imported water. More concerning, however, is that MWD now predicts that restrictions on Bay Delta water exports will hinder its ability to replenish water supplies during wet years. The state legislature, occupied with budget problems, has devoted little time or attention to a meaningful long-term solution. …”

Read more from GlobeSt.com by clicking here.

August 14, 2009 · Filed Under Development & Population

Comments

One Response to “2009 legal and political impacts of California water supply on development: “those in the development industry need to become actively involved with the policies and actions taken by local water districts and community services districts,” advises commentary”

  1. WaterSource on August 16th, 2009 5:10 am

    California & Nevada don’t hear well ….

    For 6 years, California & Nevada have been offered a truly new NON-TRIBUTARY fresh water Source that can yield ONE MILLION ACRE FEET each year which can be stored and accumulated in Lake Mead which holds 28.5 million acre feet and is only half full. When FULL, Lake Mead generates 2000 megawatts of RENEWABLE ENERGY in a facility that is already BUILT AND PAID FOR by the American people.

    Instantaneous releases can restore the Colorado River Delta.

    Development of the Source will not damage the environment or the water rights of anyone, anywhere.

    A free confidential disclosure of the Source has always been offered to any attorney of California or Nevada’s choice.

    WaterSource/WaterBank waterrdw@yahoo Retired Water Rights Analyst

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