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Senator Feinstein urges administration to respond to new National Academy of Sciences report on the Delta biological opinions; Calls for greater flexibility, robust adaptive management and integration of federal actions in the Delta

Posted by: Maven on March 20, 2010 at 6:51 am

From Senator Dianne Feinstein:

“I have great respect for the National Academy of Sciences, and I welcome this new analysis of the science governing the biological opinions in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This critical ecosystem is one of the most complex estuaries in the country, provides water supply for the nation’s largest agricultural breadbasket and drinking water supplies for California’s major cities, and is home to a number of endangered and migratory species.

The report issued today by the National Academy provides a useful assessment of the current biological opinions, and provides opportunities for federal agencies to lessen water export restrictions by implementing the opinions with additional flexibility.

The report’s authors conclude that the federal actions that restrict water flows to protect endangered and threatened fish species in the Delta are ‘scientifically justified,’ but the ‘scientific support for specific flow targets is less certain. Uncertainty in the effect of the triggers should be reduced, and more-flexible triggers that might require less water should be evaluated.’ (Page 5, pre-publication copy) … “

Much more from Dianne Feinstein by clicking here.

March 20, 2010 · Filed Under Delta Issues

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