Diane Feinstein calls for ‘comprehensive regulatory approach to the Delta’; sends letters to officials addressing Sacramento wastewater treatment plant & invasive species

Diane Feinstein, in two letters sent to officials this week, called for a comprehensive regulatory approach to the Delta.

In a letter addressed to the California Department of Fish & Game, Ms. Feinstein writes “regulatory actions must be taken to address all points of stress on the Delta, including not just the State and federal water projects, but also ammonia discharges from wastewater treatment plants, the predation of native fish by striped bass and other non-native species, invasive species, lack of sufficient habitat, pyrethroids and other pesticides, other toxics and other problems”.

Ms. Feinstein further urges the Department of Fish & Game to take action on those stressors on the Delta that fall under the agencies regulatory responsibilities. You can read the full text of this letter from Diane Feinstein to the Department of Fish & Game by clicking here.

In a second letter sent earlier in the week, Ms. Feinstein addresses the State Water Resources Control Board and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board regarding Sacramento’s wastewater treatment plant facilities discharges, which contain substantial amounts of ammonia. Noting that recent research has shown that ammonia may be having detrimental effects on the ecosystem and inhibiting phytoplankton, Ms. Feinstein notes that 10 out of 11 wastewater treatment facilities located in the Delta have implemented (or are in the process of implementing) new treatment methods to eliminate ammonia. The only wastewater treatment plant not in the process of upgrading is the facility for the Sacramento area, which is also the largest.

Ms. Feinstein also notes that the permit for Sacramento’s wastewater treatment plant is operating under an expired permit and the Central Valley Regional Water Control Board has been processing the new application. She writes “I understand that such permit renewals are complex matters in the face of differing views and science which is inevitably imperfect. But the ecosystem is in nothing short of a crisis. The main water supply that fuels the state’s economy is in jeopary. Delaying action is simply not an option.”

She continues, “The State Water Resouces Control Board and its Central Valley Regional Board have an ogbligation to protect the Delta and to uphold its policies that seek to limit resource degradation by under-treated wastewater discharge and other threats.”

You can read the full text of this letter from Diane Feinstein by clicking here.

I found this on Matt Weiser’s twitter feed: https://twitter.com/sacbee_delta

Here’s Aquafornia’s twitter feed – If you consider signing up for Matt’s, please consider signing up for Aquafornia’s – I need some more peeps! https://twitter.com/Aquafornia

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