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Saturday’s top story: Wanger rules that humans, not just fish, must be considered in divvying delta water

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 23, 2009 at 9:01 am

From the Fresno Bee:

A federal judge stunned and delighted west-side farmers on Friday, ruling that the federal government must consider the effect on humans — not just fish — when allocating delta water. U.S. District Judge Oliver W. Wanger did not tell officials how to operate the Central Valley Project, and he said it was up to them to manage the massive water pumps in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

But Wanger said officials must focus not just on protecting the endangered delta smelt when discussing these issues. They also must take into account “the harm being visited upon humans, the community and the environment.” He also said officials must explain and justify how they reached their water-allocation decisions.

A few months ago, the federal government in effect reduced the volume of water pumped out of the delta by issuing new rules to protect the smelt. That means west-side growers are receiving less water for crops.

Wanger’s ruling Friday raised growers’ hopes of getting some of that water back, although the case is far from over.

Read more from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.

May 23, 2009 · Filed Under Judge Wanger delta smelt ruling

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