| SB1 Call Today – Keep at it through Friday! Restore the Delta has confirmed that the problematic language interfering with Delta levee repairs has been removed from SB1. A new version of the bill can be found here. Language in the bill around the biological opinions has been made even clearer for new science to be considered for managing species. That allows flexibility based on facts that is fair to competing water interests throughout the State. Sadly, even though Metropolitan Water District complained that there was not enough flexibility in the bill (so this was fixed), they now seem to be complaining about the Central Valley Project/California ESA protections that are essential to the bill. The important language in the bill around CVP/CESA protections is fully in place, that’s the language that will help save the Delta, fisheries, water quality etc. Senator Feinstein, Metropolitan Water District, Westlands Water District, the State Water Contractors are pushing the weakening of SB1, or for the bill to be postponed for a year. The motive is simply increased water deliveries at the expense of a healthy San Francisco Bay-Delta. But Delta fisheries need protection now! Several Delta assemblymembers and senators are on the fence about SB1. Some officials who have been friends of the Delta in other parts of the state are fence- sitting too. Governor Newsom also needs encouragement to sign SB1 now with Delta protections in place. Now is the time to remind your elected officials, including Governor Newsom, to support SB1 retaining the critical language protecting endangered species in Central Valley Project Waters. Now is the time to remind your elected officials that endangered species protections equal good Delta water quality. Now is the time to remind elected officials that 4 out of 5 Americans support the Endangered Species Act. Now is the time to remind your elected officials to be on the right side of history. Keep your message positive, professional, and polite: Please vote for SB1 with full Delta protections. To find your legislator, click here. To contact Governor Newsom, click here. Thank you, Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla |