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DWR Press Release: DWR and USBR Issue Biological Assessment on Delta Pumping

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 16, 2008 at 2:14 pm

From the Department of Water Resources:

SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) issued Biological Assessments today on their respective water projects, particularly as they relate to Delta pumping and the effects on endangered fish species.

The assessments are posted on the Bureau of Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Region Web site at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/

[Aquafornia note: here is a more direct link: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo/ocap_page.html]

The assessments are part of what’s identified as the State Water Project (SWP) and Central Valley Project (CVP) joint Operations Criteria and Plan.

Operational requirements are spelled out in permits known as Biological Opinions Issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

Recent court decisions conclude that current permits do not adequately protect certain fish species. That means the federal fish agencies must develop new Biological Opinions regarding SWP and CVP operations.

The court has ordered development of new, more protective, biological opinions by mid-September 2008. This process is known as federal Endangered Species Act re-consultation.

The Biological Assessment (BA) is a starting point in the consultation process. A considerable amount of new science on the Delta and additional fish protection measures will need to be integrated into project operations. DWR and the Bureau will be working with the federal fish agencies to assist them to develop this information.

The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.

May 16, 2008 · Filed Under Delta Issues, Judge Wanger delta smelt ruling

Comments

One Response to “DWR Press Release: DWR and USBR Issue Biological Assessment on Delta Pumping”

Ray Walker on May 17th, 2008 4:41 am

1994 Scientific documentation suggests that concentrations of fluoride above 0.2 mg/L have lethal effects on and inhibit migration of salmon species whose stocks are now in serious decline.

Fluoride added to drinking water,”to improve dental health”, enters the fresh water eco-system, in various ways, at levels above 0.2 mg/L. This factor should lead to the development of a strategy calling for a ban on fluoridation.

“The early studies that purported to show ingested fluoride reduced tooth decay were seriously flawed,” says Dr. Paul Connett, emeritus professor of environmental chemistry at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y.

Conserving water is admirable…so is investigating new ideas.

The true thinkers are denied access to implementation of creativity because they lack the political contacts reserved to insiders who haven’t had an original thought in years.

All the old heads refuse to consider that any alternative other than one originating from their superiors is worthy of investigation.

It is of no concern to those who regulate perceived shortages that those they supposedly serve have a right to hear about & have investigated other viable solutions.

CA may soon declare moratoriums on anything new that requires any depletion to existing water supplies. The ensuing water fights for political power will likely devastate CA’s economy.

Is this scenario necessary ?….maybe not….

An adequate new fresh water Source has been offered up for verification & investigation, but the concept does not originate from the existing establishment.

None of the 450 CA water agencies would have dared to conceive of a million acre feet a year solution, the development of which will not damage existing water rights or the environment.

The shock of formulating options to cure the Salton Sea, Colorado River Delta, Mono Lake, Pyramid Lake & Walker Lake would be devastating to the status quo.

Could this marvelous Source have been already in place and functioning ? Yes, but 4 critical years have now passed since it was first offered and the communication lines were never opened between knowledge and the closed circuit on new ideas.

How many more years will it be before this vast natural resource is analyzed, let alone pursued & developed ?

Sadly, a crisis like Katrina, Mayanmar(Burma) or China’s earthquake will have to occur so that fault can be assigned by finger pointing and denied by those awaiting retirement.

By then, it will be a bit late ….

Ray Walker (Retired Water Rights Analyst) waterrdw@yahoo.com

P.S. The plastic water bottle dilemma also has a viable solution that would be quite acceptable to the environmental community and the water bottling industry….it too does not originate from the old heads…