Questions, questions.
As I prepare to review the recently-released Bay-Delta Conservation Plan working draft I'm starting to wonder about the future of the BDCP planning process. Are the fins falling off?
Earlier this week Westlands Water District, California's largest farming district, pulled out of the process. Here is Mark Grossi's story from the Fresno Bee. Grossi's first few paragraphs lay it out:
After investing millions of dollars, Westlands Water District is pulling out of an extensive planning effort to heal the troubled Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, saying high-ranking federal officials are derailing it.
The draft of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan offers hope of restoring slumping water deliveries to west Valley farmers, Westlands officials said this week. But the Department of Interior advocates more limits on deliveries, they said.
"We're not going to spend another dime on this," said Jean Sagouspe, Westlands board president. "They changed the goals because they didn't like what the studies say."
But Grossi also reported that environmentalists, fishing groups and cities aren't too happy:
Environmentalists and fishing groups are involved, too. Last week they criticized the draft conservation plan as a water grab for water users such as Westlands and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
The goals of the 50-year recovery plan are to restore the delta ecosystem, where several fish species are dying, and build a tunnel system to deliver Sacramento River water under or around the delta to farm and city water users.
Environmentalists and delta-area cities are worried about the draft plan's tunnel options, which could carry the Sacramento River's entire flow, according to experts. They want assurances that there would be limits on the amount of water that could be sent.
If no one's happy, maybe the BDCP is on target?
Here is the Westlands press release and Mike Taugher's article from the Contra Costa Times.
Download WWD-Press-Release-11-22-10
Download Westlands_leaves_BDCP_CoCoTimes
Here is Alex Breitler's article from the Stockton Record about the Westlands decision and the Department of Interior's response. Here is the Department of Interior's letter to Westlands.
Just yesterday, another farming district, the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA) announced it is pulling its support from the BDCP process. The reason echoes that of Westlands.
At least one pundit has suggested that these departures are related to the recent Republican Congressional election gains. Will more departures follow?
In a somewhat related matter, Lloyd G. Carter sent me this letter sent by a number of groups to Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) asking for his help in requesting a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of Westlands regarding the sale of bonds. Read my earlier post about Westlands.
Download LTR to Garamendi Seeking SEC Investigation Final
Gotta go now - I have some reading to do.
"If they're going to ignore the studies, this thing will fall apart." -- Jean Sagouspe, Westlands Board president, referring to the BDCP planning process
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