Recent California Water News
August 2010
"Appeals court rules steelhead threatenedA federal appeals court ruled Friday that Central Valley steelhead were properly listed as a threatened species despite the fact they interbreed with rainbow trout, a decision that sides with fish agencies and environmentalists. Recordnet.com August 21, 2010.
"Schwarzenegger signs bills to delay water bond
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday completed the process of removing an $11.1 billion water bond from California's November ballot and delaying it for two years."
Fresno Bee, August 10, 2010.
"Legislature delays water bond to 2012 ballot
The California Legislature voted Monday night to pull the $11 billion water bond from November's ballot and delay it for two years, a move that came as backers of the proposal became increasingly concerned about its prospects at the polls."
San Francisco Chronicle, August 10, 2010.
"Viewpoints: State water bond awash in bad policy, bad economics
The Legislature's recent $11 billion water bond, passed in the Senate and signed by the governor, is a horrific disappointment for Californians interested in a sustainable and economical water future."
Sacramento Bee, August 7, 2010.
"Who's Bankrolling the Push for Prop 18?
Developers, agribusiness and construction interests would benefit from the water bond on this fall’s ballot, while public services — such as education and public health programs — could suffer, according to a new analysis from consumer organization Food & Water Watch."
Beyondchron.org, August 6, 2010.
"Agencies tackle water challenges
As the demand for water grows and non-regional supplies decrease, the largest wholesaler in the region is working with local agencies, businesses and residents to cut costs and maintain the reliability of supply."
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, August 5, 2010.
"Opinion: Legislature must decide whether Proposition 18 stays on the ballot
If the Nov. 2 election were high school and all of the qualified propositions on the ballot were students, Proposition 18 would be the kid eating by himself in the cafeteria."
Los Angeles Times, August 4, 2010.
"Study: Cut in delta water use needed for fish
The amount of water pumped out of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta would have to be cut in half if vulnerable fish populations are going to be preserved for future generations, a state report declared Tuesday."
San Francisco Chronicle, August 4, 2010
"Delta water users dismiss call for steep cutbacks
A powerful state board on Tuesday for the first time adopted criteria defining how much water must flow through the Delta to the Bay to maintain a healthy ecosystem."
San Jose Mercury News, August 3, 2010
" Previous money unspent as leaders urge new bond
As California grapples with chronic and massive debt, state leaders are pushing voters to approve one of the largest bonds in state history, $11 billion in money they say is necessary to help repair and rebuild the beleaguered water system. But a Chronicle investigation has found that of the more than $20 billion in state water bonds passed since 1996, more than $3 billion has never been spent."
San Francisco Chronicle, August 1, 2010
"Viewpoints: Delta's bounty is a shared treasure – except when greed cuts ahead in line
It's really that simple: If we want to resuscitate our once-mighty salmon runs, we have to allow twice as much water as is currently flowing through the Delta."
Sacramento Bee, August 1, 2010
July 2010
"Valley-L.A. water deal may be in worksWest-side farmers look to swap this year's surplus for additional supplies next season."
Fresno Bee, July 26, 2010.
"Editorial: California's ailing water supply needs help
California's main water source - the delta junction of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers - is not a bottomless well. It needs conserving, less diversion and the political will to see the job through."
San Francisco Chronicle, July 23, 2010.
"Editorial: No more watered down excuses
State water officials are the San Joaquin Delta's most destructive invasive species. Amazingly, at long last, they have concluded Delta fish need more water."
Recordnet.com, July 23, 2010.
"Editorial: Drought's real victims--It was fishermen, not farmers, who suffered most
So much water had been pulled from the Delta to send southward that the salmon fishery collapsed, and the salmon harvest was essentially wiped out, putting thousands of fishermen out of business."
Chico News & Review, July 22, 2010.
"Delta survival requires major cutbacks in water use, state study finds
Californians are taking out roughly twice as much water from the Delta as is environmentally sustainable, according to a new report demanded by lawmakers and informed by some of the state's top scientific experts."
Contra Costa Times, July 21, 2010.
"Drills to test idea of Delta tunnel
The Delta will be poked and prodded again starting next month, as the state drills hundreds of holes into river bottoms, banks and islands.The goal: to learn more about building a 43-mile tunnel to take much of California's water supply from the estuary"
Stockton Record, July 12, 2010
"Suit to get Kern Water Bank returned to state
Control of California's largest underground water bank was illegally bestowed on a handful of private, wealthy agriculture and real estate companies in the 1990s, according to a group of environmentalists, sport fishermen and delta farmers."
San Francisco Chronicle July 12, 2010
"Salmon's sad state: Short season highlights fishery's woes
Commercial fishermen plying North Coast waters for salmon this weekend are, with the rare exception, hauling in nothing but disappointment."
Santa Rosa Press Democrat, July 10, 2010
"Editorial: Repeal water-bond legislation
Instead of hoping for more support in 2012, he [the Governor] and state lawmakers should repeal the water bond legislation and come back with a smaller, equitable and less pork-filled package that could be more easily sold to voters."
Long Beach Press Telegram, July 8, 2010
"Dan Walters: What's next for the water bond?
This may be another of those made-in-California political knots that cannot be untangled because the political structure demands a level of trust and accord that the issue itself, by its nature, renders impossible."
Fresno Bee, July 6, 2010
"Kill water bond
Prop. 18 needs to disappear. The Legislature should pull this overblown measure from the November ballot. Then legislators should create a stripped-down water bond that avoids costly pork and stays focused on the state's central water needs."
Riverside Press Enterprise, July 1, 2010
June 2010
"Schwarzenegger moves to pull water bond measureGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders, in an abrupt about-face, said Tuesday they will seek to pull the $11 billion water bond measure from November's ballot and instead put it before voters in 2012."
San Francisco Chronicle, June 30, 2010
"New state agency tries to revive delta
Over the past 10 years, California spent more than $3.5 billion on an agency that failed to solve the water crisis in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Now, the state is trying again - with a newly formed agency."
San Francisco Chronicle, June 27, 2010
"Environmentalists, farmers, cities reach temporary compromise over Calif. water pumping limits
California farmers, environmentalists, water managers and city officials have worked out a compromise over how to manage pumping limits for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta through the end of June."
Associated Press, June 24, 2010
"Calif increases water allotment after storms
California officials plan to increase the amount of water they supply to farms and cities after a series of late spring storms boosted the Sierra Nevada snowpack."
Sacramento Bee, June 24, 2010
"Bill seeks to strike clause from water bond
Lawmakers backing November's $11 billion water bond proposition are seeking to strike a provision that would allow private corporations to own, operate and profit from dams and other water storage projects built with taxpayer dollars, a little-noticed clause that was the subject of a Chronicle report."
San Francisco Chronicle, June 19, 2010
"Report finds delta among most vulnerable rivers
The river system that makes up the backbone of the state's economy ranks as one of the most imperiled watersheds in the nation, putting at risk drinking water for millions of Californians as well as billions of dollars worth of crops and urban infrastructure, according to an annual report on the country's most important waterways."
San Francisco Chronicle, June 2, 2010
May 2010
"Salmon protections eased at request of water agenciesA federal judge who last week ruled that federal regulators illegally restricted water pumping from the Delta to protect salmon struck down those rules late Tuesday for the remainder of the spring."
Contra Costa Times, May 25, 2010
"Sacramento wrangling over water bond money
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget proposal includes $1.8 billion from an $11 billion water bond on the November ballot, prompting some lawmakers to question the administration's rush to spend money that voters have yet to approve."
San Francisco Chronicle, May 23, 2010
"Federal judge sides with farmers in delta pumping lawsuit
A federal judge ruled today in favor of Central Valley farmers and urban water agencies seeking to loosen restrictions on pumping from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a major source of irrigation and drinking water for much of California."
Mercury News, May 18, 2010
"Drought label stays, and some blame politics
While El Nino ended California's three years of dry winters, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger does not intend to declare an end to the drought. Critics say the reason is political: In November, California voters will be asked to approve an $11 billion water bond measure that the governor has pushed for years."
San Francisco Chronicle, May 16, 2010
April 2010
"Federal salmon plans unveiled in FresnoAbout 50 people listened Wednesday as federal officials made their long-awaited first announcements in Fresno about plans to restore chinook salmon runs in the San Joaquin River. But there were not a lot of answers to big questions."
Fresno Bee, April 28,2010
"Rain may actually hurt state water bond
As cruel as it might sound, backers of the much-needed $11 billion state water bond on the November ballot needed another bone-dry year to win over voters."
Freso Bee, April 26, 2010
"Brief salmon season likely
Fresh local salmon will probably be returning to Bay Area menus, after a regional fishing council recommended Thursday a limited commercial fishing season following two years of bans due to the plummeting population of the cherished fish."
San Francisco Chronicle, April 16, 2010
"West-side water allocation up to 30%
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on Thursday bumped up the allocation of irrigation water for west-side farmers to 30%, citing improved water conditions."
Fresno Bee, April 15, 2010
"Viewpoints: State's water planning should begin at the source - the Sierra
The Sierra Nevada is the foundation of California's water system and needs attention. The Sierra supplies 65 percent of all water used by the people of the state, from the clean, safe water that comes from your faucets to the water used to grow crops."
Sacramento Bee, April 13, 2010
"How dry is my valley? Farms short on water
Even the federal government hasn't been able to make up for what the heavens have failed to provide. For the past two years, Griffin and farmers in 17 Sacramento Valley irrigation districts have received only 40 percent of the amount of water they hold contracts for with the federal government."
San Francisco Chronicle, April 11, 2010
"Freeport intake facility may herald bigger changes on Sacramento River
Dignitaries today dedicate a massive new water intake on the Sacramento River at Freeport, symbolically ending a 38-year battle over local water supplies."
Sacramento Bee, April 8,2010
"Valley water agencies await fish ruling
Water agencies representing millions of Californians made a final pitch Wednesday in their effort to derail federally imposed plans for threatened fish species that have resulted in massive water cutbacks from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta."
Fresno Bee, April 7, 2010
March 2010
"San Joaquin River flowing through dry stretchesSix months after the court-ordered release of water from a Central Valley dam, the San Joaquin River is now reconnected with San Francisco Bay, a major development in the river's long-term recovery and re-establishment of chinook salmon populations."
San Francisco Chronicle March 31, 2010
"Science panel says Delta pumping restrictions are justified in California
A high-level science panel Friday concluded that federal rules that limit water diversions from the Delta to protect endangered fish are "scientifically justified," dealing a blow to south state water interests that had hoped the review would punch holes in the rules."
Sacramento Bee, March 20, 2010
"Members of Delta Stewardship Council appointed
The final members of a 7-person panel that will determine how to balance the state's water needs with the Delta's fragile ecosystem were named Friday afternoon. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made four appointments to the new Delta Stewardship Council. They include: Randy Fiorini, a Turlock farmer; Phil Isenberg, a former assembly leader and chairman of the Delta Vision Task Force that in 2008 wrote a new blueprint for the Delta; Hank Nordhoff, a biotech executive from Del Mar; and Richard Roos-Collins, a Berkeley lawyer for the Natural Heritage Institute, an environmental group."
Mercury News, March 19, 2010
"Stage is set for better West Coast salmon season
California's chinook salmon fishery is likely to be opened this year after two straight closed fishing seasons -- but with restrictions, according to recommendations released Thursday by a federal panel."
Chron.com, March 11, 2010
"Choice for Delta water council scrutinized
The state's implementation of sweeping new water legislation is off to a bumpy start, as a battle brews over who will serve on a powerful new agency overseeing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta."
Fresno Bee, March 10, 2010
" Another water project could divide the state
San Joaquin Valley farmers hope for $3.3-billion dam and reservoir at Temperance Flat, but they need help paying for it."
Los Angeles Times, March 9,2010
"Federal drought ag aid targets Valley
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $10 million to farmers affected by California's water shortages."
Fresno Bee, March 5, 2010
"Conservation group challenges PG&E, seeks more water for Eel River
A conservation group is looking to the state to significantly cut back on the diversion of Eel River water to the Russian River in what it says is a last-ditch effort to save crashing salmon and steelhead runs."
Times Standard, March 4, 2010
"Salmon season to undergo scrutiny
There is hope for a decent salmon season after several years of crushing closures driven by troubling returns of spawning chinook salmon to the Sacramento and Klamath rivers."
Contra Costa Times, March 1, 2010
February 2010
"Water agencies loosen taps; Feinstein backs offState and federal water regulators agreed Friday to open the spigots a bit more on account of all the recent rain and snow, prompting Sen. Dianne Feinstein to drop her threat to bypass the Endangered Species Act to get farmers more water."
San Francisco Chronicle, February 27,2010
"George Miller: Feinstein amendment is a water grab
Beware of the latest attempt at an old-fashioned water grab - the last gasp of an outdated approach to California's complex water problems."
San Francisco Chronicle, February 26, 2010
"Upbeat salmon forecast worries fishermen
A surprisingly optimistic projection Thursday that nearly 250,000 salmon will spawn in the Sacramento River system next fall has created a dilemma for fishermen who crave the opportunity to reel in some chinook after a two-year fishing ban: They're worried that they might contribute to the demise of the species."
San Francisco Chronicle, Febrary 26, 2010
"North state lawsuit a major onslaught in war over water
Invoking the specter of a century-old Los Angeles water grab, Northern California farmers have filed a lawsuit that may escalate the state's ongoing water crisis."
Contra Costa Times, February 18, 2010
"Feinstein may drop Valley water plan
Facing objections from a dozen West Coast lawmakers, Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Thursday that she might drop her controversial bid to direct more water to San Joaquin Valley farmers if the Interior Department takes action on its own."
Fresno Bee, February 18, 2010
"Lowest delta-rivers salmon run ever in 2009
The lowest number of chinook salmon in recorded history made their way up the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers last fall, turning what was already a disaster for the fishing industry into what some are calling an environmental and economic catastrophe."
San Francisco Chronicle. February 13, 2010
"Fishermen Worry About Future of Central Valley Salmon Runs Record Low 2009 salmon return caused by delta pumping
The Pacific Fisheries Management Council has just released numbers showing California's once abundant salmon runs came in at a new all time record low in 2009."
YubaNet.com, February 12, 2010
"Feinstein proposes Central Valley water plan
Sen. Dianne Feinstein ignited a firestorm among fellow California Democrats on Thursday as word spread of her proposal to divert Northern California water to Central Valley farmers."
San Francisco Chronicle, February 12, 2010
"Fishing the North Coast: Hatchery steelhead returns back on the rise
After a couple of sub-par seasons, steelhead are once again finding their way back to our North Coast rivers and hatcheries in good numbers."
Eureka Times Standard, February 11, 2010
"Watchdog's suit says hatchery fish hurt natives
An environmental watchdog group sued the state Wednesday for what representatives called a wholesale failure to protect native species from sickness, death and other harmful effects caused by hatchery-raised fish."
San Francisco Chronicle, February 11, 2010
"Judge rejects delay in delta pumping restrictions
West Valley farmers last week were celebrating a reprieve from water pumping restrictions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Five days later, it's over. A federalFreson judge Wednesday rejected an emergency request by water districts representing cities and Valley farmers to delay a new set of pumping restrictions in the delta."
Fresno Bee, February 10, 2010
"Testing waters for salmon in San Joaquin River
Friant Dam opened to study flows in long-dry portions of San Joaquin."
San Francisco Chronicle, February 7, 2010
January 2010
"Science panel's review of California water woes prompts fightIt's political, say critics; Farmers call effort vital."
Sacramento Bee, January 21, 2010
"2009 another bad year for Delta ecosystem
The latest survey of Delta fish populations shows another ominous dip."
Contra Costa Times, January 6, 2010
"Autumn chinook run falls short
Salmon didn't make the big fall comeback in Central Valley rivers that anglers and nature lovers yearned for, raising the likelihood of a third year of fishing restrictions."
Sacramento Bee, January 4, 2010
December 2009
"The Oh Decade: Old water policies limit choices for future by Peter GleickWe live in a fragile time and place. Californians started out in 1850 grossly abusing our water resources and we've never stopped."
Sacramento Bee, December 30, 2009
"Decision pending on toxic runoff being dumped into San Joaquin River from Merced County Westside farms
Roughly 100,000 acres of farmland along the Fresno-Merced county line have been moved one step closer to being allowed to continue discharging toxic runoff into the San Joaquin River until 2019, according to a Dec. 22 decision by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation."
Merced Sun Star, December 29, 2009
"State bond lets firms profit from water
Private companies could own, operate and profit from reservoirs and other water-storage projects built with billions in taxpayer dollars under a little-noticed provision of the $11.1 billion water bond that was approved by the Legislature and goes before California voters next year."
San Francisco Chronicle, December 27, 3009
November 2009
"Californians asked to spend more during unprecedented spree of water spendingSupporters of a proposed $11 billion water bond say the money is urgently needed to fix California's water supply problems, yet billions of dollars in previous bond money still hasn't been spent, according to the California treasurer."
Mercury News, November 24, 2009
"Water package lacks clout to reverse Delta's decline
The momentous reform of California's water system signed into law last week is largely toothless where it matters most: Action to reverse the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta's environmental decline."
Sacramento, Bee, November 15, 2009
"Winners and losers in water deal
Follow California's water as it falls first as snow in the Sierra, melts and flows down rivers, through the Delta and out the Golden Gate, and you get a pretty good idea of where the "no" votes came from in one of the most important water policy shifts in decades."
Contra Costa Times, November 8.2009
"Westlands Water District is a powerhouse for Valley farmers
The most powerful voices in the state's $11 billion water talks last week might have been two water districts -- one speaking for half the state's population and the other for just 600 San Joaquin Valley farmers."
The Fresno Bee, November 7,2009
"California lawmakers pass historic water package
It took long months of delicate negotiations - and the last-minute deletion of a project dear to the heart of the state's most powerful legislator - for California lawmakers to craft what could turn out to be one of the most pivotal water deals in state history."
The Sacramento Bee, November 5, 2009
"California Legislature passes state water conservation bill
The legislation, part of a larger package, mandates a statewide drop in per capita water use by targeting urban areas. The Assembly is still considering other measures already approved by the Senate."
Los Angeles Times, November 3, 2009
October 2009
"Delta water plan emerges for public to viewStrict conservation, new dams and a peripheral canal are all on the table after six weeks of closed-door negotiations to solve the state's water crisis and restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta ecosystem."
San Francisco Chronicle, October 27, 2009
"Water plan seen as prelude to canal
Two powerful California water agencies, the Westlands Water District in the Central Valley and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, support a legislative water compromise in part because they believe it brings the Peripheral Canal closer to reality."
Capitol Weekly, October 26, 2009
"Delta legislators hardening against water plan
Assemblyman Roger Niello, R-Sacramento, and Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, don't agree on much. But both are against the water plan being negotiated between the Legislature and the governor -- and neither thinks the package has the votes to pass."
Capitol Weekly, October 22, 2009
"EBMUD likely to move ahead with dam plan today
The East Bay's largest water agency today will consider moving ahead on its plan to raise a Sierra dam, flooding a prime stretch of river to ease the grip of droughts."
Contra Costa Times, October 13, 2009
"East Bay water districts see reform bill differently
The East Bay's largest water district says the most ambitious attempt to reform state water policy in at least a decade is a bare-knuckled water grab by Southern California that will cost its 1.3 million customers money and deeper rationing in droughts. A neighboring district, meanwhile, views the package as a step in the right direction."
Contra Costa Times, October 8, 2009
"Editorial: The Klamath River lessons
The agreement reached Tuesday to remove four dams on the Klamath River in northwestern California and southern Oregon is welcome news, and not just for the salmon that spawn upstream or the people who depend on a sustainable fishery for their livelihood."
Los Angeles Times, October 2, 2009
"Flows to restore San Joaquin River start today
More than a half century after a colossal federal dam built outside Fresno transformed 64 miles of the San Joaquin River into a dusty trench and annihilated native salmon populations, engineers will open the floodgates to begin a new era for California's second-longest river."
San Francisco Chronicle, October 1, 2009
"Feinstein planning major delta legislation
California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, considered a pre-eminent broker in the state's water wars, said Wednesday she is planning one of the biggest pieces of legislation she's ever attempted, to address the water and environmental crisis in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta."
San Francisco Chronicle, October 1, 2009
September 2009
"Water interests argue new state dam proposalsAs California grapples with an aging water-delivery network, growing population, worsening water quality, a drought and the potentially far-reaching effects of global climate change, dams are again on the table."
San Francisco Chronicle, September 29, 2009
"For San Joaquin River, a historic reawakening
It all starts Thursday with a gentle surge of water to be released from Friant Dam into the San Joaquin River. A massive, unprecedented and unpredictable river restoration project will begin, reawakening miles of dried riverbed and salmon runs that have been extinct for six decades."
Fresno Bee, September 27, 2009
"S.F., East Bay fear water rationing in future
San Francisco and East Bay water managers are warning that a plan to overhaul the state's water system could result in draconian restrictions and rationing in the Bay Area and possibly undermine water rights that are more than 100 years old."
San Francisco Chronicle, September 24, 2009
"Farm baron gets high-level help
Acting at the request of Beverly Hills billionaire and Kern County water baron Stewart Resnick, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is seeking a high-level scientific review of new endangered-species permits that farmers and others blame for water shortages."
Contra Costa Times, September 19, 2009
"Yolo officials fear big water districts will buy up revenue-rich ag lands to aid smelt
Yolo officials see the restoration of other wetlands as a potential threat – and are taking steps to prevent it. They're worried that powerful water districts from Southern California, which draw water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, will buy up tracts of Yolo open land and flood them to create habitat for the endangered Delta smelt."
Sacramento Bee, September 17, 2009
"Key salmon spawning rivers all but dry
The key spawning grounds for what was once the greatest run of salmon on the North Coast are close to being as dry as they have ever been, according to biologists and the U.S. Geological Survey."
San Francisco Chronicle, September 13, 2009
"Calif. lawmakers fail to reach water deal
California lawmakers have fallen short in their attempt to reach a deal to overhaul the state's water system, their most ambitious goal in the current legislative session."
San Francisco Chronicle, September 11, 2009
"Editorial: Water wisdom for California
Our water woes, exacerbated now by a continuing drought, require focused attention, but not an end-of-session rush job that relies more on deal-making than good policy."
Los Angeles Times, September 4, 2009