Delta landowners and legislators seek greater control over water

July 8, 12:43 AMCalifornia Infrastructure Policy ExaminerJeff Burgess

Previous

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the California Infrastructure Policy Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

 

Today I attended Restore the Delta’s Delta Water Policy Press Conference and Rally, featuring State Senator Lois Wolk. Senator Wolk was joined by several other lawmakers, including Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi and Assemblymember Alyson Huber. The event, held on the North Steps of the Capitol, was attended by many proclaiming support for Delta communities. Restore the Delta Indicated “We want to make it clear to the Assembly and Senate that it is time to give the Delta a voice on water issues. And that we are tired of the decisions being made without our consent and involvement.” However, this event, and Senator Wolk’s legislation, is clearly more about controlling water than simply having a voice in the inevitable changes that must come to the Delta region.

Senator Wolk is spearheading the Delta Region's efforts to control water, having introduced two bills (Senate Bills 457 and 458) that would collectively circumvent existing State laws that allow the State Department of Resources (DWR) to oversee water management. In particular, SB 458 creates another level of bureaucracy that could impair the State’s ability to meet its preexisting water-rights agreements. SB 458 will create a Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy. The purpose of the Conservancy would be to support efforts that advance both environmental protection and the economic well-being of Delta residents in a complementary manner. The problem is that the Delta is a region which impacts nearly every citizen of the State, and a conservancy with oversight over this region could hold the rest of the State’s citizens hostage over water.

Senator Wolk is not alone in working towards local control of statewide water resources. Assemblymember Huber indicated as much when she spoke at the podium, saying “Delta communities must have a voice in what happens to their water.” State Law differs from Ms. Huber – it does not indicate that water which travels through the Delta belongs to Delta communities – it belongs to citizens throughout California.

Lt. Governor Garamendi seemed even-keeled, noting that the Delta’s ecosystem problems are a result of water exports. Indeed, all the major Delta studies to date have indicated that the export facilities located in the South Delta are the major factor in the degradation of the Delta’s ecosystem. Garamendi also called for expanded reclamation of wastewater, and – of course – greater conservation. Garamendi did note that “They’ve come up with a very viable plan”. However, Garamendi asked “Where’s the policy that guarantees the environment of the Delta?” Obviously that policy is clearly stipulated in the co-equal goals of Governor Schwarzenegger’s Delta Vision effort: Restore the Delta ecosystem and create a reliable water supply for California.

Back to the premise: is this about having a voice, or control? Delta locals were represented on the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force. They have been invited to join the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) Steering Committee. BDCP Steering Committee meetings are open to the public. Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency Mike Chrisman meets with Local Delta leaders twice each month. Numerous public outreach meetings have been held in each Delta county. So why do Delta locals continue talking about not having a voice?