Last September, 225 environmental organizations signed a detailed critique of the Delta Plan, noting that the Fifth Draft showed little effort to consider the economic value of the public trust and the economic consequences of potential choices or alternatives. “The Council,” they said, “cannot evade having to make difficult decisions regarding the distribution of limited...Read More

On February 7, the Delta Watermaster reported to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on investigations of water rights in the Delta. Of over 1,000 Delta properties investigated since 2008 for illegal diversions and failure to file reports, formal enforcement action has been taken in only 12 cases. Twelve. Out of over 1,000 properties....Read More

Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) chair Phil Isenberg never hesitates to work himself and everybody else through lunch. His plan for last week’s DSC meeting was to work right through to 6:30 on Thursday – two hours beyond the scheduled adjournment – so that no one had to come back on Friday. He got special permission...Read More

The North Delta’s Peter Stone is participating in the BDCP Public Finance Work Group. He notes that attendees are a who’s who of California State Water Contractors, plus various federal and state agencies and non-governmental organizations. At last week’s meeting, reports Stone: A very interesting discussion and persuasive argument came from a representative of Friant...Read More

Patricia McBroom’s most recent posting on her blog, California Spigot, looks at efforts to get a National Heritage Area designation for the Delta and to get a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to recapture the history and enduring narratives of the area, hopefully to raise public awareness and perhaps to gain leverage...Read More