Water Education Foundation
This is just one post in the Wildlife & Endangered Species Category
Click here to view all posts

Stockton East Water District sues feds over Stanislaus rules in the salmon biological opinion

Posted by: Maven on June 20, 2009 at 7:31 am

From Stockton’s Record:

Concerned over what may be a “drastic” reduction in this region’s water supply, the Stockton East Water District filed suit Friday against the federal government challenging new rules to protect fish. The lawsuit alleges that the rules, published by the National Marine Fisheries Service on June 4, are in violation of the Endangered Species Act because they do not rely on the best available science.

The rules require greater flows down the Stanislaus River for steelhead. Stockton East relies on diversions from the Stanislaus – and storage at New Melones Lake – for about half its surface water supply. That water can be treated and sent to city taps, which takes pressure off the county’s diminished underground aquifer.

Water from the Stanislaus has never been completely reliable, but officials have said the new rules mean even less will be available. “There will be virtually no water to the contractors except in a very few circumstances,” said Jennifer Spaletta, an attorney representing Stockton East. “It’s predicted that the reservoir is going to go bust very often.”

Read more from The Record by clicking here.

June 20, 2009 · Filed Under San Joaquin Valley, Wildlife & Endangered Species

Comments

Leave a Reply