Comments On The Delta Wetlands Project
California Water Law and Policy Reporter July 2004
April 14, 2002 - Assembly member Joe Canciamilla Chair, Assembly Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee
June 27, 2002 - California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance
June 17, 2002 - California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers
May 25, 2001 - Senator Dianne Feinstein Statement on Introduction of CALFED bill
October 9, 2001 - Governor Gray Davis Signature message statement; SB 221 (Kuehl)
�Public/private partnerships can offer California a cost-effective approach to current water solutions, as evidenced by public/private desalination efforts. The In-Delta Storage Project is an example of the low-impact, technologically feasible solutions to water storage problems that the state will be seeking in the future.�
- Top - San Joaquin Record February 6, 2004�We urge the California Bay-Delta Authority and the Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee to promptly approve the next step of work on the Delta Wetlands Project so that we can continue to address California�s vital water supply needs.�
Assemblymembers McCarthy, Wolk, Matthews, Richman, Campbell, Parra, Steinberg, Maldonado, Bates, Cox, Montanez, Bermudez, Canciamilla, Dutra, Cogdill and Senators Ducheny, Florez and Chesbro February 19, 2004
�The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) recently released a feasibility study of the In-Delta Storage Project, one of the five surface storage projects that the CalFed program is currently studying for potential implementation. To date, the In-Delta Storage Project is the only proposed water storage and water supply project to have been determined technically feasible�Therefore, the California Business Roundtable strongly encourages the California Bay-Delta Authority to continue its investigation of the In-Delta Storage Project.�
California Business Roundtable March 2, 2004
�This announcement is an important step forward for the state and the water industry at large as any real progress in constructing new surface water storage facilities has yet to materialize, despite the constant calls for action. We understand all other proposed storage projects under consideration by CalFed are at very preliminary phases of investigation�Beyond its water supply benefits, we are encouraged to see a project advance that can also provide complimentary benefits in water quality, ecosystem restoration and levee stability, and provide operational flexibility for the state and federal water projects.�
California Business Properties Association March 10, 2004
�It is rare to find a surface storage project that provides new water supplies and storage capacity, and also generates significant habitat benefits as the In-Delta Storage Project does�The In-Delta Storage Project provides the CalFed Bay-Delta Authority with a unique opportunity to implement a project that can provide a variety of environment and water supply benefits for California.�
California Waterfowl Association February 19, 2004
�We encourage the Authority to move forward with its review of the In-Delta Storage Project. Thank you for your leadership in advancing the CalFed Bay-Delta Program.�
Ducks Unlimited February 24, 2004
�The Delta Wetlands Project conceptually provides increased water supply and improved water quality benefits while preserving and enhancing the environment�The California Chamber of Commerce supports the objectives of the Delta Wetlands Project and encourages efforts to bring the project to fruition.�
California Teamsters February 24, 2003
�The Teamsters strongly support the continued viability of [Delta Wetlands] this important element of California�s water management plan�If California is to continue to grow and prosper, it is critical that we ensure that our water supply is adequate for future development and agricultural needs, as well as ensuring that the environment is protected. The Delta Wetlands Project is a crucial component to achieving these goals.�
California Chamber of Commerce March 6, 2002
�The Delta Wetlands Project conceptually provides increased water supply and improved water quality benefits while preserving and enhancing the environment�The California Chamber of Commerce supports the objectives of the Delta Wetlands Project and encourages efforts to bring the project to fruition.�
Assembly member Joe Canciamilla Chair, Assembly Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee April 14, 2002�Here is Contra Costa County (actually straddling Contra Costa and San Joaquin counties), the �Delta Wetlands Project� is one important project that offers California a unique water management tool. Not only is it an example of innovative thinking, it is a real solution for California that can be operational in a short time frame�The Delta Wetlands Project is just one example of the creative efforts that we must pursue in 2002.�
California Waterfowl Association June 14, 2002
(Delta Wetlands) sets new standards for habitat restoration and management and promises to permanently preserve a significant portion of the Delta�s wetland history and character. The conservation areas formed on Bouldin Island and Holland Tract will be among the largest in the Delta, and provide enormous benefits to migratory and local waterfowl as well as nearly 200 other wetland-dependent wildlife species; a significant number of which are listed as endangered or threatened.
California Business Roundtable
June 10, 2002
The California Business Roundtable, a group committed to preserving California�s business climate, supports the Delta Wetlands Project as a sensible solution to help address our state�s chronic need for new water storage and new water supplies. We urge the CALFED Bay � Delta Program and its Bay � Delta Public Advisory Committee to seriously consider the benefits of Delta Wetlands, and to move to implement the project as soon as possible.
California Business Properties Association
March 21, 2002
�We understand that the Delta Wetlands Project provides both benefits � offering California and its residents a unique opportunity to implement desperately needed new storage capacity and create a new water supply � by capturing water that would be otherwise wasted to the ocean. It is for this reason that the California Business Properties Association supports the Delta Wetlands Project.�
Assembly members Dave Kelly, Richard Dickerson, Joe Canciamilla, Helen Thomson, John Campbell, Howard Wayne, Christine Kehoe and Senators Dede Alpert, Don Perata, James Battin March 14, 2002
�Delta Wetlands may potentially provide a unique opportunity to increase our storage capacity and move toward the goal of a balanced CALFED program.�
California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance June 27, 2002
�The California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance supports the Delta Wetlands Project and urges CALFED to work quickly to implement the project in keeping with its Record of Decision�Since the Delta Wetlands Project is the one surface storage project that could be operational within the next decade, state leaders must pursue this opportunity to increase both water supply and storage.�
Westlands Water District May 24, 2002�Westlands (Water District) has supported the Delta Wetlands Project because it believes the Project will generate significant benefits for the state and the region.�
Sacramento Bee February 9, 2002
�In California, while several water ventures have spluttered, some are moving forward�In the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a company plans to flood two islands during wet years and sell the water during dry ones.�
California State Council of Laborers California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers
June 18, 2002
�We join a coalition of important business-related interests in supporting the continuation of CALFED�s important activities and consider Delta Wetlands an integral component of this state�s efforts to advance water supply projects for the ultimate benefit of the environment and the economy.�
San Joaquin River Group
(Representing Modesto Irrigation District, Turlock Irrigation District, Oakdale Irrigation District, Merced Irrigation District, Friant
Water Users Authority, City and County of San Francisco, South San Joaquin Irrigation District and San Joaquin River Exchange
Contractors)
May 21, 2001
�In light of its capability of being constructed in the near future, the implementation of the Delta Wetlands Project will be an important benchmark in improving water storage options in California�California needs additional options for water storage in the future. We urge you to ensure timely implementation of the Delta Wetlands Project.�
California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers
June 17, 2002
�On behalf of the
CA/Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO, I am pleased to advise
you of our organization�s support of the continued inclusion of the Delta
Wetlands Project as one of the water storage projects that warrants
continued identification in the CalFed process. We supported its
identification as an identified project in the CalFed ROD and encourage you
to expeditiously advance it through your study and review process.�
Silicon Valley Manufacturers Group
March 28, 2002
�The Delta Wetlands Project provides a unique opportunity to implement desperately needed storage capacity sooner than any other option to do so, with benefits to agriculture and environmental restoration as well.�
Ducks Unlimited
June 18, 2002
�The mitigation proposed by Delta Wetlands on the habitat islands and geographic location of Delta Wetlands in the heart of the historic waterfowl wintering area, provide significant benefits to waterfowl and wetland dependent species. Additionally, Delta Wetlands proposes recreational uses on the reservoir islands that would minimize excessive rafting of waterfowl peak migration, and potentially improve distribution of birds into the Suisun March and Delta.�
California Building Industry Association
May 7, 2002
�The Delta Wetlands Project offers the CalFed Bay-Delta Program, or any other potential public or private program partner(s), a real water solution that can be actually operational in a relatively short timeframe. In light of the current legislative developments, we believe the project has multiple applications and should be attractive to many regional and statewide water agencies and districts as well as private sector interests seeking opportunities to satisfy their water demands.�
Fresno Bee
January 29,2002
"[Republican gubernatorial hopeful William] Simon wants to add to state�s water storage�Simon also proposes flooding the Webb Tract and Bacon Island in the Sacramento San-Joaquin Delta, which he says could hold 800,000 acre-feet of water that now flows out into the Pacific Ocean.�
Madera Irrigation District
May 16, 2001
�The Madera Irrigation District (MID) supports the continued efforts to develop and implement the surface water storage elements set forth on the CALFED Record of Decision�The Delta Wetlands Project has the potential to be a key component of California�s future water management and MID supports Congressional authorization of this project��
Natural Heritage Institute
July 16, 2000
�We now believe that the
current proposal for Delta Wetlands operations will provide a net benefit to
the environment, both to terrestrial and to aquatic species. We therefore
support the Project.�
California Builder
May/June 2002
�SB 221 will force water agencies and homebuilders to look at all potential sources of water to comply with the law. With that in mind, CBIA is currently supporting two water projects, one known as the Delta Wetlands Project�Together, the projects can help supplement the state�s water supplies and lessen the impacts of future droughts as California prepares to reduce reliance on the Colorado River.�
Ventura County Star
April 26, 2001
�Delta Wetlands, based in the East Bay community of Walnut Creek , won approval for its plan in February from the State Water Resources Control Board�it is an intriguing new twist in California�s unceasing campaign to capture, store and redistribute its most precious resource.�
Senator Dianne Feinstein Statement on Introduction of CALFED bill
May 25, 2001
�The bill authorizes 580,000 acre feet of water in the first year through the environmental water account, and the bill essentially authorizes the first three storage projects, off-stream water storage, listed in stage 1 of the Record of Decision: Enlarging the Los Vaqueros Reservoir, subject to a vote of the people of Contra Costa County; raising Shasta Dam; and constructing the Delta Wetlands Project which involves flooding two delta islands for storage and using the other two islands for ecosystem protection. The end result of these three storage projects will be 2.3 million acre feet of new water storage.�
Governor Gray Davis Signature message statement; SB 221 (Kuehl} October 9, 2001
�Specifically, I re-emphasize the need to aggressively pursue infrastructure projects throughout California including immediate progress on in-Delta storage��
California Water Law & Policy Reporter
March 2001
�Delta Wetlands Project gets first nod of approval from State Water Resources Control Board�Such an adoption brings the possibility of new storage to the Sacramento and San Joaquin river systems, a positive for most of the valley. And of course, with construction of such a project comes benefits for fish and wildlife as well."
