Spreck Rosekrans is an Economic Analyst at EDF.
Governor Schwarzenegger's recent water policy letter to three leading Senators [PDF] highlights California’s focus on building dams. The governor notes that the Department of Water Resources will complete studies for building Sites and Temperance Flat Reservoirs and for expanding Los Vaqueros Reservoir: "these projects, depending on how they are built and operated, can provide public benefits" and thus warrant public investment. (See the studies completed to date.)
But no proposal has specified how these reservoirs, in whole or in part, would be operated for public benefits. It is therefore not possible to evaluate the proposals. Here are some of the questions that need to be answered.
What public benefits are we talking about? Would a portion of an expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir be used to modify water supply operations when at-risk fish species would otherwise be entrained in diversion facilities? Would building Sites Reservoir mean eliminating Red Bluff Diversion Dam, which blocks migration of endangered green sturgeon, winter- and spring-run chinook salmon?
Who would control the reservoirs – the California Department of Fish and Game? How would the reservoirs operate in relation to existing facilities, water rights and environmental protections? And are the reservoirs the best way to provide these benefits?
There are a lot more questions than answers. And the biggest question is: Without answers, why should Californians dedicate billions of dollars for these projects?
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One Comment
Spreck,
Seems like the growing consensus is that operations of the Bay-Delta will change in the foreseeable future. The problem is — no one knows how. More spring outflow? More brackish water? Maybe — but the devil will be in the details, because the resolution of Bay-Delta operations has a direct effect on short-term and long-term water supplies. More water in the spring means less water in the fall. Brackish water isn't drinkable. Etc. etc.
My question to readers is: Given the uncertainty of a positive ecological response to whatever the flavor of the month may be for Bay-Delta re-ops, should water users be concerned? And, if they should be, what assurances are available to make them partners instead of adversaries?
Thanks,
Mike