On Nov. 7, the State Water Resources Control Board is scheduled to vote on whether to approve the final draft of the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan update for the Lower San Joaquin River and Southern Delta. The Bay-Delta Plan, as proposed, would have significant impacts on farms, communities and the environment by limiting drinking water for cities and rural communities, as well as irrigation water for farms and wildlife refuges.

ACWA supports a better alternative. Renewing efforts at voluntary settlement agreements with affected water users and utilizing a more targeted, science-based approach will provide the necessary comprehensive pathway forward.

Background Information

In July, the State Water Board released the final draft, which would require 40% of unimpaired flows for February through June, with an allowed adaptive range between 30 to 50%, for the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced Rivers through to the San Joaquin River. The proposed flow objectives are intended to increase the required flows left in rivers for the protection of fish and wildlife, but would significantly reduce water available to water users in the Lower San Joaquin River Watershed.

ACWA and its members strongly believe that water policy based on a percentage of unimpaired flow is the wrong approach and should be replaced with a coordinated, comprehensive approach. Water managers have demonstrated that preserving and restoring fishery resources requires an integration of measures for both water supply and ecosystem management. *

More information visit:

Northern California Water Association here

California Farm Water Coalition here

Association of Ca Water Agencies here

Worth Your Fight here

*Shared from ACWA.COM