February13,2015
State Water Resources Control Board will hold a public workshop Feb 18 on a plan that could send more water south of the Delta. In a rare move of unanimity both federal and state fish and wildlife agencies have joined a bipartisan congressional effort promote”flexibility” in deciding whether to send water south that could help water-starved communities and farmers“in dire need.”
With the state in its fourth year of below average rain, Dan Nelson,director of the San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority says its heartening to have these agencies on the same page for a change with only the staff executive director at the water board standing in the way. “The full board can unwind that decision Feb 18” adds Nelson.
A Feb 11 letter signed by congressional Democrats and Republicans from the Central Valley and Diane Feinstein urges adoption of the flexibility measure noting that “we are running out of time and water” to make the adjustment. Nelson says the flexibility could add an additional 20,000 af in coming weeks to San Luis Reservoir.
That key reservoir is at 1.18mil af – in much better shape than a year ago when it had only 603,293 af.
