Within Reach: Transforming California's Water System
October 13, 2009 | Posted by Spreck Rosekrans in Bay Delta, Legislation
Spreck Rosekrans is an Economic Analyst at EDF.
Our water system isn't working for anyone – not for cities, not for farms, and certainly not for fish. For the first time in over a decade, the California legislature has a chance to address our outdated water system and our broken Bay-Delta ecosystem. At the end of the last legislative session, a water policy package was put forward that proposed critical steps needed to provide a resilient water supply for all Californians and badly needed environmental protections as well.
Like others in the environmental community, EDF stretched to come to agreement in Senate Bill 68 as introduced, as it already includes a substantial set of compromises that would not be our first policy choice.
We, nevertheless, supported the package as introduced on September 11th because we believe strongly that its provisions have the potential to break the cycle of conflict and environmental damage that have plagued California’s water management system for decades.
We are pleased to see that the Governor has called for a special legislative session dedicated to passing strong water policy. Our support for a final package is dependent on retention of the following critical elements:
1. Getting enough water into the Bay-Delta – Sets a clear course of action to determine and provide critical water flows for the health and long-term sustainability of the Delta ecosystem.
2. Reducing reliance on the Bay-Delta – A landmark change in policy that shifts from an emphasis on Delta water supply to improving conservation, recycling, and other local sources of water.
3. Tools for halting illegal diversions – Expands the State Water Resources Control Board's authority to halt illegal diversions ensuring fair, smart water use throughout the state
4. Moving the Bay Delta Conservation Plan to environmental success – Details a framework for the BDCP that will help result in stronger protections for the Bay-Delta ecosystem in a timely manner.
5. Ensuring smart groundwater use – Substantially expands groundwater management and monitoring efforts to ensure long-term sustainability.
3 Responses
Comment from bawilli7
October 13th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
What about a long term funding mechanism?
Comment from aquachica
October 14th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Spreck – Can you elaborate on a few things:
1. How much will this cost and how are we going to pay for it to be sure the "good things" actually happen?
2. How will this result in reduced reliance on the Delta?
3. If this is tied to a $9-12 billion bond, which will result in substantial debt service and impact other social services, will EDF still support?
Comment from susans
October 14th, 2009 at 11:36 am
I'm glad to see that EDF recognizes the role groundwater plays in sustainable water use. At one time, the Sacramento Valley was tapped to provide up to 185,000 AF of additional water to the Bay-Delta through groundwater substitution pumping. Proposed extraction included one irrigation district pumping the equivalent of the City of Chico annual urban supply during April to October. With the advent of the BDCP, the Sacramento Valley Water Management Agreement has stalled, at least as far as those of us in the public know. However, any proposal to take surface water from the Sacramento Valley needs to consider the impact that groundwater subsitution pumping will have on groundwater dependent farms and the environment.
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