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Fisheries

60,000 tiny salmon trucked to Pillar Point Harbor

Story
From Contra Costa Times – Friday, May 11, 2012
From San Mateo County Times – Friday, May 11, 2012
Aside from a traffic jam on Interstate 880, the salmon did not encounter any obstacles on their way to the sea.

Coalition response…This story fails to present all the factors that affect the salmon as they make their way through the Delta as it lists only man-made impacts. A recent study by scientists from the National Research Council listed multiple threats to salmon, including predatory fish in the Delta, poor water quality and ocean conditions resulting in a reduced food supply. While trucking the salmon from a hatchery to the ocean will avoid the predators lurking in the Delta, other stressors remain. It is interesting to note that the photo accompanying this story identifies one of those predators…sea lions.

Congress

House votes to undo part of settlement to restore the San Joaquin River

Blog

By Doug Obegi

From NRDC – Friday, May 11, 2012

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Denham’s amendment to undo part of the court approved settlement to restore the San Joaquin River and its historic salmon runs.  The amendment, which was attached to the appropriations bill for the National Marine Fisheries Service, would prohibit the agency from spending any money to reintroduce spring run Chinook salmon to the San Joaquin River

Coalition response…This blogger’s criticism of Rep. Denham’s amendment and claiming the SJR Exchange Contractors are reneging on the river restoration settlement are efforts to mislead public opinion without providing all of the facts. The restoration agreement provided protection for third-parties along the river, including farmers within the Exchange Contractors’ region. Past efforts have already seen these farmers suffer from undue seepage problems caused by high water releases into the river. The agreement also called for multiple construction projects and it was acknowledged that early introduction of salmon a year or two before the completion of the projects might take place; but none of the necessary construction projects needed for a successful fish passage have begun. It could be 5-10 years or more to reach completion of the Phase 1 projects once construction begins, depending on funding. Why introduce salmon that are listed as endangered that stand no chance of reaching the ocean?

There is not much to be shown for the $100 million already expended for the restoration. Those groups pushing for the salmon introduction insisted that the restoration effort could be accomplished for $250 million. It is readily recognized that this number will fall far short of the amount required. Now is not the time to compound this oversight with efforts such as early introduction of salmon that serve no purpose.

Other News from CFWC

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PEOPLE

Sausalito man appointed to state water board
Story
From Marin Independent Journal – Thursday, May 10, 2012

Steven Moore of Sausalito has been appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to the state Water Resources Control Board. Moore, 45, has been a civil and sanitary engineer at San Rafael-based Nute Engineering since 2006 and has been a member of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board since 2008.

New faces at powerful State Water Resources Control Board
Story

From Central Valley Business Times – Thursday, May 10, 2012

The powerful State Water Resources Control Board is getting some fresh faces.

Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday announced his appointments of Felicia Marcus and Steven Moore to the board that oversees both water allocation and water quality protection in California.

WATER SUPPLY

Lake Oroville an eyebrow below full
Story
From Chico Enterprise-Record – Thursday, May 10, 2012
For the first time in recent years, Lake Oroville is nearly full. When absolutely full, the surface of Lake Oroville is 900 feet above sea level.

Water Conservation Advisory Board talks on saving water continue

Story
From Imperial Valley Press – Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Imperial Irrigation District is still looking for farmers who are willing to fallow as it looks to fill at least 170,000 acre-feet of water.

Desert Southwest an oasis or mirage?

Blog
By Pete Zrioka
From Western Farm Press – Thursday, May 10, 2012
The American West has a drinking problem. On farms and in cities, we are guzzling water at an alarming rate. Scientists say that to live sustainably, we should use no more than 40 percent of the water from the Colorado River Basin.

Free ag pump efficiency seminar May 17, Fresno State

Announcement
From Western Farm Press
With this year’s surface water delivery estimates, chances are farmers will be relying heavily on pumps and wells this season. At a free seminar at Fresno State on May 17, growers can find out about proper procedures to prepare their pumping systems for the long, hot summer season ahead. Field demonstrations of pump testing and proper maintenance will be demonstrated in a hands-on approach on the Fresno State Farm.

WATER QUALITY

USDA will help improve watersheds

Story
From Capital Press – Thursday, May 10, 2012

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled a new program May 8 that seeks to enlist farmers to help tackle some of the nation’s toughest water quality challenges. The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Water Quality Improvement Initiative will offer farmers a total of $33 million in financial assistance to adopt farming practices that improve water quality in endangered watersheds by reducing runoff from fields.

DELTA

Delta cost-benefit study politicized

Blog

By Wayne Lusvardi

From Cal Watchdog – Thursday, May 10, 2012

Noted environmentalist Bjorn Lomborg recently said that cost-benefit studies could be used to evaluate big public works projects having environmental impacts in an age of austerity.  But California legislators propose to turn an unneeded cost-benefit study of the Sacramento Delta Conservation Plan into an apparent shakedown for jobs, land and water for a range of special groups mostly in Northern California.

One more thing on levees

Blog

By Alex Breitler

From Stockton Record – Thursday, May 10, 2012

Monday’s story about flood-risk awareness in Spanos Park West is really about something called “residual risk” – the fact that even if we live behind 100-year certified levees, there is still a risk of flooding in the case of a larger event.

CONGRESS

Congressman trying to ban more salmon from San Joaquin River
Story
From Central Valley Business Times – Thursday, May 10, 2012
Even though the House of Representatives has approved a plan by Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, to stop paying for reintroduction of salmon into the San Joaquin River, it’s unlikely that the move will get a nibble if it were to find Senate approval.