Yesterday, Delta community members from Restore the Delta, Little Manila Rising, With Our Words, and LGBT+, Social Justice, and neighborhood groups, along with California Striped Bass, Save California Salmon, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, Sierra Club California, and Planning and Conservation League achieved a better outcome than anticipated at the Central Valley Regional Water Board. It was not perfect.
A selenium discharge permit was granted; however, it will be reopened for reconsideration in two years when more data on selenium discharge becomes available. We got this better result because our coalition of speakers — teenagers to seventy-year-olds — had facts, history, and the truth on their side.
Will groups appeal the decision? Most likely yes. However, we were heard and we expect a more productive conversation with the Central Valley Board regarding Delta water quality moving forward.
With gratitude to those who drove up, made comments, and sent emails. You are the reason we continue to fight for the future of the Delta.
Onward,
Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla