By Steve Evans
Conservation Director
Friends of the River
The controversial Peripheral Canal may or may not be included in a package of water bills that the Legislature expects to take up after its arduous budget battle and the August recess. The water package will likely propose an appointed council or water master to manage water operations, provide overall direction for ecosystem restoration, and attempt to implement the Governor’s goal of reducing water use by 20%. Some capitol insiders claim that the package will not expressly authorize the giant canal, which will divert massive quantities of fresh water around the beleaguered estuary for export to the southern Central Valley and southern California.
It is also unclear whether this initial water package will include funding mechanisms, either in the form of a proposed multi-billion dollar general obligation bond (essentially borrowing money in the name of the taxpayers) and/or water fees. The cost of a Peripheral Canal could be at least $10 billion. New or enlarged dams needed to supply water to the canal will cost billions more. Funding is usually the key to California’s convoluted water politics since the typical goal is to get the taxpayers to pay for the water from which only a few benefit...Read more.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Truth #9
The Peripheral Canal will not improve water quality in the south Delta.
A recent science review of the Bay-Delta Conservation plan found that the canal will do little to improve poor water quality and San Joaquin River salmon survival in the south Delta.
A recent science review of the Bay-Delta Conservation plan found that the canal will do little to improve poor water quality and San Joaquin River salmon survival in the south Delta.
Truth #8
The Peripheral Canal will not benefit salmon or Delta smelt.
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, there is only a 50% likelihood of viability for Sacramento River salmon with a Peripheral Canal. For Delta smelt, only a 40% likelihood of viability.
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, there is only a 50% likelihood of viability for Sacramento River salmon with a Peripheral Canal. For Delta smelt, only a 40% likelihood of viability.
Truth #7
The Temperance Flat Dam will destroy the San Joaquin River Gorge.
Thosands of acres of public recreation lands and wildlife habitat will be drowned. Thousands of years of Native American heritage lost. Existing hydroelectric power plants will be buried, making Temerance Flat a net energy looser.
Thosands of acres of public recreation lands and wildlife habitat will be drowned. Thousands of years of Native American heritage lost. Existing hydroelectric power plants will be buried, making Temerance Flat a net energy looser.
Truth #6
All the best dam sites in California are taken.
New dams will not store much additional water since most watersheds have fully developed surface storage capacity.
The proposed Temperance Flat Dam on the San Joaquin River will only sotre a small amount of water 1 year out of 3.
New dams will not store much additional water since most watersheds have fully developed surface storage capacity.
The proposed Temperance Flat Dam on the San Joaquin River will only sotre a small amount of water 1 year out of 3.
Truth #5
New dams produce far less reliable water than conservation, recycling and groundwater storage.
Truth #4
The proposed Peripheral Canal will be as long and as wide as the Panama Canal.
Nine years ago, state and federal agencies promised to restore the Delta. They failed.
Can we really trust the same agencies to operate the Peripheral Canal in a way that protects and restores the Delta?
Truth #3
Water conservation.
Water recycling.
Water reclamation.
Groundwater storage.
These are the solutions to California's current and future water needs. Not building costly, destructive, ineffective, and contraversial new dams and canals.
Water recycling.
Water reclamation.
Groundwater storage.
These are the solutions to California's current and future water needs. Not building costly, destructive, ineffective, and contraversial new dams and canals.
Truth #2
Fish need water too.
California's salmon have been decimated by the state's 1,400 dams and hundreds of miles of canals.
We cannot restore our once bountiful salmon stocks by building yet more dams and canals.
California's salmon have been decimated by the state's 1,400 dams and hundreds of miles of canals.
We cannot restore our once bountiful salmon stocks by building yet more dams and canals.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Truth about Ca Water #1
23 million Californians DO NOT "depend" on water from the Delta.
Water stored behind federal and state dams are exported from the Delta is only about 11.5% of California's dedicated water supplies.
In contrast, 57% of our dedicated water supply comes from local surface storage, projects groundwater aquifers, and from reuse/recycling.
Water stored behind federal and state dams are exported from the Delta is only about 11.5% of California's dedicated water supplies.
In contrast, 57% of our dedicated water supply comes from local surface storage, projects groundwater aquifers, and from reuse/recycling.
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