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

Water transfer from small reservoir in Butte County raises big concerns from environmental groups

Coalition response…This transfer of water to farmers south of the Delta will be used to help them stay in business and grow the food that consumers in California enjoy, even people in Butte County. Deliveries to these farmers have already been cut by 80 percent, due mainly to government regulations that took nearly a million acre-feet of water away from users earlier this year and instead let it flow out the Delta to the ocean for fish purposes. This action repeated the pattern of agencies taking water without any proof of intended benefits.

The California Department of Water Resources approves water transfers only after it is clear they will not cause harm to the local environment. This one-time transfer meets those standards and the money received by Thermalito Water and Sewer District will assist in funding their local efforts.