For Immediate Release: 1/6/2020
Contact: Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, 209-479-2053, barbara@restorethedelta.org
STOCKTON – Restore the Delta has filed comment letters on two major planning decisions that impact the health of the San Francisco Bay-Delta. The two processes are the Long Term Delta Operations plan for the State Water Contractors and the Westlands Water Contract. RTD sees problems with both state and federal plans as they impact the Delta.
Neither plan:
1. Restores the Delta
2. Includes planning for climate resiliency
3. Addresses the impacts of increasing water exports on Delta environmental justice communities
4. Considers the impacts of increased water exports and the spread of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
The first letter is comments to the California Department of Water Resources on the proposed extension of State Water Contract.
Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for Long-term Operation of the California State Water Project
The second letter is comments to the US Bureau of Reclamation on the proposal for a permanent water contract for Westlands Water District
WIIN Act Draft Prepayment Contract Between the United States and Westlands Water District
Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director of Restore the Delta said:
“Unfortunately, both state and federal agencies are in denial about the impacts on climate change to water supply in California and on what it will take to actually restore and save the Delta. Also, our state and the federal government have failed to do proper environmental justice analysis regarding water quality in their decision making on plans that directly impact Delta communities. Both agencies also seem to ignore water quality impacts in their decision making especially as it relates to Harmful Algal Blooms (that are becoming an annual problem in the Bay-Delta). Without these harms being addressed, both efforts are a waste of the public’s time. Climate change science should no longer be separated from water policy decision making and must be considered in analysis of water quality impacts.”