Ann Hayden is a Senior Water Resource Analyst at EDF.

These days there seems to be a lot of strategizing about how to kill two big birds with one stone: reduce water use and greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. Given that the delivery and transport of water takes a huge amount of energy throughout the State and the country, this is an important goal to work towards. The State Water Project alone is one of the biggest consumers of energy in California. Here’s how our golden state and the Nation are tackling the issue: Read more »

Spreck Rosekrans is an Economic Analyst at EDF.

We submitted two sets of additional comments to the independent Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force last week. The first set addresses legal issues in response to the Task Force's request for elements "appropriately incorporating the principles of reasonable use and public trust in California water policy making", and was prepared by our senior consulting attorney Cynthia Koehler.

The second set of comments, addressing water supply and related environmental considerations, was prepared jointly with our colleagues at The Bay Institute. It should come as no surprise that we believe that getting the financing right will be a key element of implementing a successful Delta Vision.

Turning the Vision into reality is, however, a long ways away. These comments are for the Task Force's consideration as they develop the first draft of a strategic plan. They plan on a series of three drafts over the course of the summer before completing a final strategic plan, eerily due to be completed on Halloween. After that the Task Force will hang around for a few months to answer any questions that the State's Delta Vision Committee might have, before turning into a pumpkin.

Spreck Rosekrans is an Economic Analyst at EDF.

We recently submitted comments to the Delta Vision Task Force for consideration as they craft a strategic plan to implement their vision. We make recommendations in a number of areas, including ecosystem restoration, governance, finance and water management in the Delta. Recommendations on water supply alternatives that reduce reliance on the Delta will be submitted later this week.

These comments are a joint effort that combines the work of EDF, The Bay Institute, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club California and the Defenders of Wildlife. Thanks to all who helped, and especially to Gary Bobker for his role as self-described übereditor.

Spreck Rosekrans is an Economic Analyst at EDF.

Hooray! The Bureau has decided not to change the Trinity River flow allocation after all (see previous post).

In an email this afternoon, the Bureau's Area Manager wrote "We have determined that the Record of Decision, augmented by the May 2006 Federal Register Notice, provide that the April 1 forecast prevails, and no subsequent adjustment is warranted.  Thus, the normal year hydrograph as recommended by the TMC and as currently implemented shall continue."

We applaud the Bureau for sticking with the Trinity restoration plan.

Spreck Rosekrans is an Economic Analyst at EDF.

The federal government is considering a sharp reduction in the amount of water that is allowed to stay in the Trinity River this spring. The proposed reduction would contravene the Trinity restoration plan, co-signed by Hoopa Valley Tribal Chairman Clifford Lyle Marshall and Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt in 2000,

The Trinity Plan relies on the water supply forecast as of April 1 of each year to determine how much of the river's natural flow will be left in the river, and how much will be available for diversion by the Bureau of Reclamation to California's Central Valley. On average, the plan calls for 48% of the river's natural flow (measured at Lewiston) to be left in the river.

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