From News Line, a daily compilation of farm water news distributed to CFWC members and others upon request. To receive News Line, click here.

Reservoirs should stay in water bond

Coalition response…The author correctly explains the importance of reservoirs during dry times like we are currently experiencing and the need to increase storage in the future. Just as important is the need to resolve the movement of water through the Delta to 25 million Californians and 3 million acres of farmland that grows food for all of us. Federal regulations written to protect endangered fish have created roadblocks to water deliveries and offset the value of our reservoirs in providing water when needed. These regulations took away more than 800,000 acre-feet of water, that’s 260 billion gallons of water, from farms, cities and businesses earlier this year. The loss of this water also caused the reduction in water deliveries announced earlier this year from the two major water systems in California.

This federal roadblock emphasizes the need to move forward with the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP), which is designed to create a reliable water supply and restore the Delta ecosystem. Moving the intake location for water to the north Delta from the south benefits fish and provides a delivery reliability that is crucial to California. More than 100,000 acres of habitat will be created through the efforts of BDCP, which is the best option that we have in securing a water future that benefits our state.