Finish Bay-Delta Plan before Delta Tunnel Diversions
On Wednesday, 4/19/23 at 9:00 am the California Senate Environmental Quality Committee will hear Senator Eggman’s bill SB 687 (Water Quality Control Plan: Delta Conveyance Project)
Restore the Delta and partners have submitted a letter in support SB 687. This bill that would ensure that the State Water Resources Control Board updates the Bay-Delta Plan before considering a change in point of diversion permit associated with the Delta Conveyance Project.
https://www.restorethedelta.org/wp-cont ... Update.pdf
We encourage other organizations to voice their support for this bill. To join the telephone comments during the hearing, see instructions at the bottom of this page.
Main Points of our letter:
Updating the Bay-Delta Plan is critical to protecting Delta communities, Tribes, and fishermen who depend on the Delta. An updated Bay-Delta Plan is essential to protect the water quality of the Delta for both urban and rural communities who rely on these vital resources, which is threatened by the proliferation of harmful algal blooms, saltwater intrusion, agricultural run-off and other sources of pollution.
Environmental Justice communities have not only been redlined into living near these polluted waters but also face the health dangers and risks associated, as these communities interact and often fish for sustenance in these waters.
Although the Bay Delta Plan was revised to near completion in 2006, those revisions were not implemented, nor have they undergone a comprehensive update establishing San Joaquin River flows and Delta salinity. At this stage of the process, it is unclear how, when, or even if the Bay-Delta Plan will be updated or implemented before diversion permits are considered. It is essential that the Bay Delta Plan be updated prior to approving large scale diversions through the Delta Conveyance project as it would only hurt the quality of life for Delta communities who rely on it.
It is crucial to update the Bay-Delta Plan because doing so will allow ratepayers to understand how much water the Delta Conveyance Project will deliver and the cost effectiveness of the multi-million- dollar investment. It will also provide insight to ratepayers who are interested in investing in the construction of the Delta Conveyance Project. Finally, it can speed up permitting of water infrastructure projects in the Bay Delta as it addresses lack of updated flow and water quality requirements. SB 687 has been written to specify that the only water rights that can be stopped are those associated with the Delta Conveyance Project.
The goal of the bill is to ensure that water quality does not degrade and that any future permits granted for diversion comply with scientific standards and basis within the updates and implemented Bay-Delta Plan.
Call-In Opportunity to Support SB 687 & Instructions:
On April 19th, there will be a meeting where they will discuss the bill and take call-ins from the public. The calls are brief and will only need you to state your name, organization/affiliation and say that you support SB 687. The call-in is brief but it helps show support.
Here is the participant number to call-in: 877-226-8163 and the access code is 7362834. The meeting will start at 9 am on the 19th, calls will likely take place towards the latter part of the meeting.
More instructions here https://senv.senate.ca.gov
SB 687 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/face ... 20240SB687
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