(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Bill requiring Bay Delta Plan update before tunnel diversion permit is considered passes committee [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-04-26 Anglers won't be able to catch Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon like this one this year because the ocean and river fishing salmon seasons will be closed, due to the collapse of salmon populations on the Sacramento and Klamath rivers. Photo by Dan Bacher. The California Senate Environmental Quality Committee today approved Senator Susan Eggman’s bill, SB 687, to 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 Tunnel. The legislation, “Water Quality Control Plan: Delta Conveyance Project,” moves on to the Senate Appropriations Committee. “The ultimate goal of SB 687 is to ensure that any Delta Conveyance Project does not degrade water quality in the Delta,” according to Senator Eggman. “The only real way this can be accomplished is for the Board to establish a scientific baseline for the health of the estuary through a fully updated and implemented Bay-Delta Plan before it considers permitting the Delta Conveyance Project.” This bill does four things: 1) Requires SWRCB, before considering a change in point of diversion or other water rights permit or order associated with the Delta Conveyance Project, or any other isolated Delta conveyance project, to first adopt a final update of the 1995 Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary, including its update of water quality objectives for the Sacramento River, Delta, and tributaries. 2) If, after completing the above-described water quality control plan update, SWRCB approves a change in point of diversion or other water rights permit or order approving for the Delta Conveyance Project, prohibits the Delta Conveyance Project from being operated unless the updated water quality control plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary is fully implemented. 3) Provides that nothing in the bill constitutes an authorization for or approval for funding for the Delta Conveyance or any other isolated Delta conveyance project and does not reduce any statutory or other regulatory conditions or permit requirements for Delta Conveyance projects. 4) Prohibits the bill from being construed as creating authority for DWR to build any isolated Delta conveyance facilities. “The ultimate goal of SB 687 is to ensure that any Delta Conveyance Project does not degrade water quality in the Delta,” according to Senator Eggman. “The only real way this can be accomplished is for the Board to establish a scientific baseline for the health of the estuary through a fully updated and implemented Bay-Delta Plan before it considers permitting the Delta Conveyance Project.” Restore the Delta and partners have submitted a letter in support SB 687. The coalition letter includes, among others, the Black Urban Farmers Association, Little Manila Rising and Public Health Advocates. The letter says,” 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,” the letter continues. “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,” the letter states. “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,” the letter concludes. While bill advocates are pleased that the bill passed through the Committee, it needs to be pointed out that most of the people who called into the Senate phone line to speak in support were not allowed to speak. In a tweet thread, Artie Valencia of Restore the Delta noted: “Thank you @SenSusanEggman and the Environmental Quality Committee for moving SB 687 forward. The #BayDeltaPlan update is long overdo. However, I would like to discuss some issues with public participation via the AT&T Teleconference Call-In process. “During the Call-In time for SB 687, the moderators allowed 4 out of 21 callers to speak in support. Meanwhile, the people in the room were allowed to speak. We wonder why this was the case with SB 687 while there was no issue with previous bills@CASenateDems @SenateRepCaucus “Instead this hurts democracy and transparency for social and environmental justice. It also doesn’t look good for small-d democratic values. Though we appreciate that SB 687 made it out of the committee, we ask these issues are fixed @SenToniAtkins @RestoretheDelta” As one who watched the hearing today, I agree totally with Valencia. Groups supporting the bill include the Black Urban Farmers Association, Business Council San Joaquin, California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, Defenders of Wildlife, Delta Counties Coalition, Friends of The River, Golden State Salmon Association, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Little Manila Rising, Los Angeles Waterkeeper, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Association, Reinvent South Stockton Coalition, Restore the Delta, San Francisco Baykeeper, San Joaquin County Historical Museum and With Our Words. The bill is opposed by the Desert Water Agency, State Water Contractors, Valley Ag Water Coalition As one who watched the hearing today, I agree totally with Valencia. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/4/26/2166127/-Bill-requiring-Bay-Delta-Plan-update-before-tunnel-diversion-permit-is-considered-passes-committee Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/