REDWOOD NEEDLES
REDWOOD NEEDLESPresented by the Sierra Club Redwood Chapter Newsletter, The REDWOOD NEEDLES
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By Steve Evans
Two recently introduced bills to authorize continued federal funding of CALFED and provide for new federally subsidized water projects are threatening to re-ignite California's water wars.
Massive water diversion projects over the last 60 years have degraded the Sacramento-San Juaquin-San Francisco Bay Delta ecosystem. CALFED is the joint federal and state effort intended to restore the Bay-Delta ecosystem and rebuild its threatened and endangered species. However, as these bills now stand, it is clear that the same water development interests responsible for degrading the ecosystem are endeavoring to hijack the CALFED process.
The bills include H.R. 1985the "Western Water Enhancement Security Act," introduced by Representative Ken Calvert (R-Corona), and S. 976the "California Ecosystem, Water Supply, and Water Quality Enhancement Act," introduced by Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
Both bills "pre-authorize" water supply enhancement projects identified by CALFED. However, environmental studies have not been completed for these projects and it is not known if the projects will be environmentally or economically feasible.
Even more troubling, both bills contain language that potentially allows consideration of unspecified projects never addressed by CALFED. Conservationists fear that these provision could lead to speculative dam projects such as the controversial Auburn dam.
These bills go far beyond the scope of CALFED by creating new and extensive grant and loan programs to assist local agencies in financing new water projects. These provisions could dramatically increase federal agribusiness subsidies.
The bills guarantee delivery of up to 70 percent of Central Valley Project water contracts south of the Delta, even though there may not be sufficient water available from year to year for environmental, residential, and industrial needs. Neither bill implements the CALFED principle requiring beneficiaries to pay their fair share.
The Calvert bill limits restoration efforts by pegging restoration funding to expenditures on water supply development; prohibiting habitat acquisition until unfunded management plans are completed; and requiring that water acquisition for the purpose of environmental restoration doesn't impact water interests. Feinstein's bill presents a more balanced approach to CALFED restoration goals but lacks assurances for adequate funding for restoration.
What Can You Do:
• Write a letter to your Representative in Congress (see CAFE article below for contact information) opposing H.R. 1984 (Calvert). The bill places too much emphasis on new, expensive, and environmentally destructive water development and fails to meet CALFED's critical restoration goals.
• Write a letter concerning S. 976 to The Honorable Diane Feinstein, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510. Urge her to sponsor a "clean" bill that authorizes and funds only those activities included in the CALFED decision; to remove authorization for unspecified water projects and guaranteed water deliveries for San Joaquin agribusiness; and, to fully fund CALFED's ecosystem restoration and environmental water acquisition programs. Send a copy of your letter to Barbara Boxer at the same address.
Steve Evans is Conservation Director for Friends of the River. For more information, contact Steve Evans at Friends of the River, 916 20th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-442-3155, Ext. 221, e-mail: sevans@friendsoftheriver.org, or visit http://www.friendsoftheriver.org
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