"The Bad
The June 2, 2009 Federal Salmon Biological Opinion calls for the restoration of river flows into the Delta as part of salmon preservation and restoration. This report, which includes the best available science reviewed by five independent science groups including the CalFed Science Board, has angered Central Valley Congressman Devin Nunes (R-District 21) and Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-District 18). They blame the economic hardship experienced by people in their disricts on a lack of Delta water flowing into their communities.
Never mind that the Westlands Water District has received 86% of its promised water deliveries this year and that agricultural employment is at an all time high in Fresno County. As reported back in May, the primary driver of unemployment in the Central Valley is the sharp decline in construction. In contrast, the California commercial salmon industry is experiencing 100% unemployment as a result of years of excessive water exports from the Delta.
Staff members from Congressman Cardoza's office also told Restore the Delta that the science for the biological opinion was inadequate and that Congressman Cardoza is introducing legislation for yet another "comprehensive study" of what is causing the real decline in the Delta.
While Restore the Delta staff concurs with Congressman Cardoza's staff that municipal discharge into the Delta has a horrible impact on water quality and that the State Water Resources Control Board should enforce water quality standards, without adequate fresh water flows into the Delta the municipal discharge problem is exacerbated and salinity increases. As far as we can tell, the goal behind this comprehensive study is to once again shift 100% blame for Delta water quality and quantity problems onto the people of the Delta, rather than using the best available science to begin policies of enforcement throughout the entire California watershed.
Part of Congressman Cardoza's district is made up of constituents who live in the secondary zone of the Delta. Restore the Delta is deeply disappointed that Congressman Cardoza has brushed aside his Delta constituents in order to protect the corporate farming portion of his District."
The June 2, 2009 Federal Salmon Biological Opinion calls for the restoration of river flows into the Delta as part of salmon preservation and restoration. This report, which includes the best available science reviewed by five independent science groups including the CalFed Science Board, has angered Central Valley Congressman Devin Nunes (R-District 21) and Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-District 18). They blame the economic hardship experienced by people in their disricts on a lack of Delta water flowing into their communities.
Never mind that the Westlands Water District has received 86% of its promised water deliveries this year and that agricultural employment is at an all time high in Fresno County. As reported back in May, the primary driver of unemployment in the Central Valley is the sharp decline in construction. In contrast, the California commercial salmon industry is experiencing 100% unemployment as a result of years of excessive water exports from the Delta.
Staff members from Congressman Cardoza's office also told Restore the Delta that the science for the biological opinion was inadequate and that Congressman Cardoza is introducing legislation for yet another "comprehensive study" of what is causing the real decline in the Delta.
While Restore the Delta staff concurs with Congressman Cardoza's staff that municipal discharge into the Delta has a horrible impact on water quality and that the State Water Resources Control Board should enforce water quality standards, without adequate fresh water flows into the Delta the municipal discharge problem is exacerbated and salinity increases. As far as we can tell, the goal behind this comprehensive study is to once again shift 100% blame for Delta water quality and quantity problems onto the people of the Delta, rather than using the best available science to begin policies of enforcement throughout the entire California watershed.
Part of Congressman Cardoza's district is made up of constituents who live in the secondary zone of the Delta. Restore the Delta is deeply disappointed that Congressman Cardoza has brushed aside his Delta constituents in order to protect the corporate farming portion of his District."