Earlier this month, the federal lead agencies for the BDCP EIR/EIS sent their comments on the EIR/EIS Administrative Draft (ADEIS) to the Department of Water Resources. Here are some of the comments. From the Bureau of Reclamation  The language and content of the draft are advocating for the project, which fails to meet the NEPA...Read More

In response to the Federal agencies evaluation of the BDCP, Natural Resources Deputy Secretary Jerry Meral was quoted as saying in a recent LA Times article, “It is important to remember that regulatory agencies by their nature do not give out ‘gold stars’ for work, but road maps for improvement. We will continue to follow...Read More

In another demonstration of Caltrans’ inconsistency when it comes to protected speech along the state’s roads, one of our North Bay Area correspondents offers the example of the “Save Drakes Bay Oyster Co.” yard signs along roads in West Marin. These relate to a controversy over National Park Service plans to terminate the lease for...Read More

In case you missed it… The Los Angeles Times Environmental documents for proposed delta project criticized Federal agencies reviewing draft for proposal to re-plumb the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta call it ‘insufficient’ and ‘biased.’ By Bettina Boxall Originally published July 18, 2013 Federal agencies reviewing draft environmental documents for the state’s proposal to re-plumb the Sacramento-San...Read More

We begin our discussion of the July 17 public meeting on the final chapters of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) administrative draft by noting that Deputy Resources Secretary Jerry Meral said the design of the project is only 10% complete. Bear that in mind as you read what follows.  The subject of the meeting...Read More

It is worth keeping in mind that  Construction and operation of the Peripheral Tunnels is the primary “conservation measure” under this habitat conservation plan.  (Yes, they think that taking the majority of freshwater flows out of the Delta and creating a lot of habitat will lead to species recovery.  But the new North Delta diversion...Read More

So what about all the parts of this project that are not tunnel construction or operation?  What about paying for the actual protection and restoration of natural communities; strategies for dealing with stressors like invasive weeds, dissolved oxygen, and stormwater treatment; and monitoring, research, and plan administration? As Restore the Delta board member Rogene Reynolds...Read More

One problem with BDCP cost estimates:  Delta land values are based on 2009 data and are based on acquiring land from willing sellers.  (Called out one audience member, “Define willing!”)  Dr. Meral said that ag land to be acquired would be “marginal.”  Rogene Reynolds corrected him, pointing out that over 16,000 acres in the south...Read More

After wandering for awhile in the realm of optimistic speculation, consultants got down to Chapter 9, Alternatives to Take.  The Endangered Species Act requires them to consider whether there is a way to harm fewer fish and other species, but for purposes of the BDCP Administrative Draft, any alternative must be “practicable”— i.e. the exporters...Read More

In case you missed it… The Sacramento Bee Sacramento mayor, city manager oppose Delta water tunnels By Ryan Lillis Originally published on July 16, 2013 Mayor Kevin Johnson and City Manager John Shirey both expressed their opposition today to Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal to build giant tunnels that would divert water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin...Read More