Since February 2009, the Department of Water Resources has been trying to gain access to selected parcels of Delta land to gather geologic and ecologic data. This is data that could, arguably, be required for an EIR/EIS for the Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan envisioned by the parties to the Bay Delta Conservation Plan....Read More
The 2009 Comprehensive Water Package created new requirements for water users to monitor and report diversions. Beginning in January 2012, users are supposed to keep monthly records of water diversions. Delta water users are a prime target of this requirement, but it’s hard to see how the monitoring and reporting will yield useful information in...Read More
In addition to creating new monitoring and reporting requirements, the 2009 Water Package also created a Delta Watermaster. Watermaster Craig Wilson will be presenting a report on “The Reasonable Use Doctrine and Agricultural Water Use Efficiency” to the Delta Stewardship Council next week. The report’s premise is that inefficient use of water is unreasonable use...Read More
On Jan 12th and 13th the Delta Independent Science Board (ISB) hosted a Delta Stressors Workshop. According to the posted agenda, “The goal for January 12 is to identify alternative classifications of stressors and ways of evaluating their relative importance, especially considering interactions of multiple stressors. The goal for January 13 is to begin preparation...Read More
This is a month for scoping. Last week the Bureau of Reclamation did scoping meetings in three Central Valley regions for the San Luis Delta Mendota Water Authority’s long term water transfer from Northern California to the Westside. Long-time observers of Central Valley water grabs, note that conducting this EIS/EIR and establishing such a long...Read More
Also this month, the Delta Stewardship Council is holding CEQA scoping meetings on the development of the Delta Plan. Meetings are scheduled in Sacramento and Clarksburg on January 24 and in Stockton on January 25. Meetings will also be help in Southern California (Diamond Bar), in Merced, in Concord, and in Chico. (Yes, the Legislature...Read More
Restore the Delta will be hosting a special Delta wine and art event on February 26, 2011. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for details next week.Read More
