HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05022006 - SD.4 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Mark DeSaulnier Contra
�'° Costa
DATE: May 2, 2006 COtlrity
*A -
SUBJECT: Oppose SII 1612
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
d
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Adopt a position in opposition to Senate Bill 1612.
2. Direct the Chief Administrator's Office to draft and send a letter,along with a copy of
this Board Order, to the Governor of California,the President Pro Tempore of the
California State Senate,the Speaker of the California State Assembly, Senator Tom
Torlakson,Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla, Assemblywoman Loni Hancock,
Assemblyman Guy Houston,each member of the State Senate Committee on Natural
Resources and Water and the Committee on Environmental Quality and to each member
of the State Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Water,
Parks and Wildlife. The letter shall state the action taken by the Board in this matter
through this Order and encouraging them to oppose this bill.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR _RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
ACTION OF BOARD ON O E7 Le APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED -K_ OTHER_
A-DvaF—NPuM A-TrAcJAf-7>
VOTE.OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT y� l AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ATTESTED: MAY 2,2006
JOHN CULLEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Contact:
cc: HOS C
CAO BY ,DEPUTY
BACKGROUND:
A bill is being introduced in the California state legislature by Senator Joe Simitian (Palo Alto)
that asks lawmakers to consider a type of Peripheral Canal that would appreciably and negatively
impact the health and wellbeing of the Delta. Water quality, the environment and native habitat .
are all threatened under such a proposal.
The original Peripheral Canal would have taken water out of the Sacramento River and
transported it into the San Joaquin Valley where it would have been channeled to points further
south. Such a proposal was not acceptable to Contra Costa County residents then—voters
rejected it by a 96 to 4 percent vote in 1982—and it is not acceptable to them today.
This Peripheral Canal proposal, were it to pass, would also set a precedent for moving water
between other areas or regions which could affect sources of water not currently being considered
at this time. Additionally, once such a canal is built, modified legislation is the only obstacle to
prevent the siphoning off of increased amounts of water, leaving the Delta in an increasingly
vulnerable and degraded state.
Water should not be diverted around the Delta. Water quality issues need to be addressed in
other ways. California can make a start by repairing, strengthening and more attentively
maintaining our state's levees.
Contra Costa County strongly opposes this Peripheral Canal and SB 1612.
ADDENDUM TO ITEM SDA
May 2, 2006
On this day the Board of Supervisors considered adopting a position in opposition to
Senate Bill 1612 (Simitian),which would authorize,upon voter approval, a$3 billion
bond issuance to finance a water conveyance and improvement program, diverting the
Delta water,to other areas of the state; and directing the County Administrator's Office to
communicate the Board's opposition to the Governor and other specified state officials.
Supervisor DeSaulnier presented this item to the Board, noting that the bill proposes a
peripheral canal not unlike the one that was strongly opposed by Contra Costa residents
in 1982 that could create serious wildlife and water quality issues. He noted that the
Board's opposition to SB 1612 would not preclude the Board from working on the other
serious issues brought up on the matter by Senator Simitian. Supervisor DeSaulnier
suggested amending the.item to say that the Board wishes to continue to look for positive
ways to address water and wildlife issues, and is aware that there are many problems in
the Delta that need to be resolved.
Supervisor Piepho noted that there have been discussions at the Transportation Water and
Infrastructure Committee (TWIC) about the issue of a peripheral canal, a subject she
noted is probably not going to go away. She proposed vigilant attention to the issue and
noted that TWIC is working with Mitch Avalon of the County Flood Control District to
establish a framework that can be used for lobbying, and she said that TWIC will be
coming back to the Board with more on information on this.
Supervisor DeSaulnier commented that it is important to get Contra Costa's message to
the legislature as soon as possible.
Chair Gioia called for public comment on this item. The following people spoke:
Michael F. Sarabia, Bay Point MAC, said "...the other side
[Southern California] has more votes,"but said a peripheral canal
would be a menace to people that live around and drink from the
Delta. He referenced a recent newspaper article stating recent
measures have made the Delta water saltier through procedures
that may have made irreversible changes to the water composition.
He said the continuing use of chemicals in the Delta water could
affect users in ways that are not yet known. (Written comments
also provided for the record);
Ralph Hoffman, Danville resident, voiced support of Supervisor
DeSaulnier's position in opposition to SB 1612 and urged the
Board to work to protect the Delta.
SD.4
May 2, 2006
Page 2 of 2
Supervisor DeSaulnier proposed, in a separate issue,the establishment of procedures on
handling issues that are being addressed at the committee level, but on which the Board
may want to take a position in response to proposed legislation.
Supervisor Piepho proposed correcting a typographical error in the next-to-last paragraph
of the Board Order wherein"levees"was misspelled.
By a unanimous vote with none absent, the Board of Supervisors took the following
action:
ADOPOTED a position in opposition to Senate Bill 1612; DIRECTED the County
Administrator's Office to draft and send a letter, along with a copy of the Board Order, to
the Governor and to other specified officials as outlined in recommendation number 2 of
the Board Order, to communicate the Board's position and convey that the Board is
aware that there are problems in the Delta and intends to look for positive ways to
address water and wildlife issues.
SB 1612 Senate Bill - AMENDED Page 1 of 12
BILL NUMBER: SB 1612 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 6, 2006
INTRODUCED BY Senator Simitian
FEBRUARY 24, 2006
;4 agt ^l ,+ +^ An act to add
Division 26. 6 (commencing with Section 79600) to the Water Code,
relating to financing a water conveyance and environmental
improvement program, by providing the funds necessary therefor
through the issuance and sale of bonds of the State of California and
by providing for t he handling and disposition of those
funds, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 1612, as amended, Simitian °,^
a ^/c m^^+^-� ' ^• ^^l+-. Clean Drinking Water,
Water Supply Security, and Environmental Improvement Bond Act of
2006 .
Under existing law, various bond acts have been approved by the
voters to provide funds for water projects, facilities, and programs.
This bill would enact the Clean Drinking Water, Water Supply
Security, and Environmental Improvement Bond Act of 2006 which, if
approved by the voters would authorize, for purposes of financing a
water conveyance and environmental improvement program, the issuance,
pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law, of bonds in the
amount of $3,000,000,000. The bill would require the Secretary of
State to submit the bond act to the voters at the November 7, 2006,
statewide general election. The bill would declare that is it to take
effect immediately as an urgency statute.
Vote: 2/3 Appropriation:
no. Fiscal committee: yes
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Division 26. 6 (commencing with Section
79600) is added to the Water Code , to read:
DIVISION 26. 6. CLEAN DRINKING WATER, WATER SUPPLY
SECURITY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT BOND ACT OF 2006
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
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79600. This division shall be known and may be cited as the Clean
Drinking Water, Water Supply Security, and Environmental Improvement
Bond Act of 2006.
79601. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta provides all or part of the
drinking water supply for 23 million Californians and for hundreds of
thousands of acres of agricultural land.
(b) The delta watershed has substantial environmental resources,
including a major portion of the state's salmon runs.
(c) The central delta lands are up to 25 feet below sea level,
sinking about two inches per year, and protected by high levees.
(d) Scientists have determined that a significant number of delta
levees could collapse in an earthquake or flood, thereby drawing
salty San Francisco Bay water into the delta and making delta waters
unusable for several years and possibly permanently.
(e) The loss of the delta water supply would substantially reduce
available water supplies for homes, commercial and industrial uses,
and agriculture in the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Joaquin
Valley, and southern California.
(f) The state's economy would be significantly impaired if there
were a levee collapse and water supplies were not protected in
advance, with that impairment of the economy very likely being more
severe than that caused by Hurricane Katrina.
79602. It is the intent of the Legislature that the
implementation of this act does all of the following:
(a) Provides significant improvements to the quality of the
drinking water derived from the delta and used as a part of the
drinking water supply of 23 million Californians.
(b) Ensures that urban and agricultural water supplies derived
from the delta are not disrupted because of catastrophic failures of
delta levees resulting from earthquakes, floods, land sinking, rising
ocean levels, or other forces.
(c) Provides a safe, clean, high quality, secure, affordable, and
sufficient water supply to meet the needs of California residents,
farms, and businesses.
(d) Improves and increases aquatic and terrestrial habitats and
improves ecological functions in the San Francisco Bay-Delta and
Trinity River watersheds to support sustainable populations of plant,
fish, and animal species.
(e) Improves water quality and reduces pollution within the
watersheds of the bay-delta and Trinity River.
(f) Reduces the reliance of water users on the delta on a per
capita basis through conservation, reclamation, reuse, and other
means.
79604. Unless the context requires otherwise, the definitions set
forth in this section govern the construction of this division:
(a) "Acquisition" means the acquisition of a fee interest or any
other interest, including easements, leases, and development rights.
(b) "Authority" means the Water Quality and Environmental
Improvement Authority created by Section 79610.
(c) "Bay area counties" means those counties that are members of
the Association of Bay Area Governments.
(d) "Bay-delta" means the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta Estuary.
(e) "Board" means the State Water Resources Control Board.
(f) "Board of directors" means the board of directors of the
authority.
(g) "CALFED" means the consortium of state and federal agencies
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with management and regulatory responsibilities in the bay-delta
estuary.
(h) "CALFED Bay-Delta Program" means the undertaking by CALFED to
develop and implement, by means of the final programmatic
environmental impact statement/environmental impact report, the
preferred programs, actions, projects, and related activities that
will provide solutions to identified problem areas related to the
bay-delta estuary ecosystem, including, but not limited to, the
bay-delta and its tributary watersheds.
(i) "Delta" means the area of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta as
defined in Section 12220.
(j) "Department" means the Department of Water Resources.
(k) "Facility" means intake facilities and related facilities
necessary to implement the clean water project, as described in
Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 79620) .
(1) "Fund" means the Clean Drinking Water, Water Quality
Improvement, Environmental Enhancement, and Water Supply Disaster
Prevention Fund created by Section 79605.
(m) "Nonprofit organization" means any nonprofit corporation
formed pursuant to the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law
(Division 2 (commencing with Section 5000) of Title I of the
Corporations Code) and qualified under Section 501 (c) (3) of the
United States Internal Revenue Code.
(n) "Public water agency" means any public entity, as defined in
Section 514 of the Water Code, that provides water service, as
defined in Section 515 of the Water Code.
CHAPTER 2. CLEAN DRINKING WATER, WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT,
ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT, AND WATER SUPPLY DISASTER PREVENTION FUND
79605. (a) The Clean Drinking Water, Water Quality Improvement,
Environmental Enhancement, and Water Supply Disaster Prevention Fund
is hereby created.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, the
moneys in the fund are hereby continuously appropriated, without
regard to fiscal years, to the authority for the purposes set forth
in Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 79620) .
(c) All moneys in the fund shall be expended only for the purposes
of, and in accordance with, this division.
CHAPTER 3. WATER QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT
AUTHORITY
79610. There is hereby created in state government the Water
Quality and Environmental Improvement Authority.
79611. The board of directors of the authority shall consist of
nine members, appointed as follows:
(a) One representative selected by the Counties of Sacramento, San
Joaquin, and Contra Costa.
(b) One representative from an industry-recognized commercial
fishing organization with a majority of its members residing in
northern California, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the
Senate.
(c) One representative from a recognized sport fishing
organization with a majority of its members residing in the bay-delta
watershed, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
(d) One representative from a recognized environmental and
conservation organization with a record of involvement in
environmental protection and conservation in the bay-delta watershed,
appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
(e) One representative of bay area counties, appointed by the
Association of Bay Area Governments.
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(f) One fishery biologist appointed by the Governor and confirmed
by the Senate.
(g) One wildlife biologist appointed by the Governor and confirmed
by the Senate.
(h) One person who resides in the watershed of the Sacramento
River for at least the past 10 years prior to appointment and who is
recognized as having substantial experience in water resources in the
bay-delta watershed, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the
Senate.
(i) The chairperson of the authority who resides within a bay area
county and who is recognized as having substantial experience in
environmental protection related to water, appointed by the Governor
and confirmed by the Senate.
79611.5. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b) , the members
of the board of directors shall serve four year terms, with terms
beginning on January 1, 2007.
(b) The term for a member of the board of directors described in
subdivision (a) , (c) , (e) , (g) , or (i) of Section 79611 whose term
commences on January 1, 2007, shall be two years.
(c) A member of the board of directors shall serve until his or
her successor is selected and qualified.
79612. The board of directors may select a vice chairperson and
other officers determined to be necessary.
79613. (a) A member of the board of directors shall receive one
hundred dollars ($100) for each meeting of the authority, including
committee meetings, attended by that member. This amount shall be
revised annually based on the change in the California Consumer Price
Index.
(b) The members of the board of directors shall be reimbursed for
expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of official duties.
(c) The chairperson of the board of directors shall serve full
time.
79614. (a) The board of directors shall appoint an executive
director.
(b) The authority shall hire employees necessary to carry out the
functions of the authority.
(c) The number of employees needed and qualifications of those
employees shall be determined by the authority, subject to funds
available to the authority.
(d) The salary of each authority employee shall be determined by
the State Personnel Board, and shall reflect the duties and
responsibilities of the position.
79616. All persons employed by the authority are state employees,
subject to the duties, responsibilities, limitations, and benefits
thereof.
79617. The headquarters of the authority shall be located in
Sacramento.
CHAPTER 4. CLEAN WATER PROJECT
79620. (a) Consistent with subdivision (g) , the authority shall
contract with the department, and as necessary the federal
government, to construct a clean water project to relocate the
existing delta intake facilities of the State Water Resources
Development System and the Central Valley Project to the Sacramento
River, in accordance with the requirements of this division.
(b) The authority shall carry out the clean water project to
accomplish all of the following objectives:
(1) Provide significant improvements to drinking water quality.
(2) Ensure that urban and agricultural water supplies derived from
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the delta are not disrupted because of catastrophic failures of
delta levees because of earthquakes, floods, land sinking, rising
ocean levels, or other forces.
(3) Provide a clean, high quality, secure, affordable, and
sufficient water supply.
(4) Improve and increase aquatic and terrestrial habitats and
improve ecological functions in the bay-delta and Trinity River
watersheds to support sustainable populations of plant, fish, and
animal species.
(5) Protect the fish and wildlife resources of the bay-delta.
(6) Include fish screens subject to the approval of the Department
of Fish and Game.
(c) The clean water project shall consist of one or more pipelines
and other facilities sufficient to transport the amount of water
contracted for conveyance in accordance with this division.
(d) The authority shall be the lead agency for the purposes of the
California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with
Section 21000) of the Public Resource Code) and, on behalf of the
state, for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S. C. Sec. 4321 et seq.) .
(e) The department shall use its powers of eminent domain and land
acquisition on behalf of the authority as necessary to obtain a
right-of-way for the implementation of the clean water project.
(f) The facilities constructed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall
be located downstream of the intake facility jointly operated by the
County of Sacramento and East Bay Municipal Utility. If changes are
required to be made to the Freeport plant of the Sacramento Regional
County Sanitation District because of the operation of the facilities
constructed pursuant to subdivision (a) , the costs shall be included
as costs of the clean water project and shall not be the
responsibility of that district.
(g) The facilities constructed pursuant to subdivision (a) may be
used in conjunction with the existing delta intake facilities
described in that subdivision in order to permit operational
flexibility and to protect fish and wildlife resources.
(h) (1) The authority shall implement the clean water project only
after a plan of operation is prepared by the authority and all
necessary approvals and authorizations are secured, including any
necessary approval or authorization from the federal government.
(2) The authority may not construct facilities under this division
before entering into contracts for the use of those facilities.
(i) The authority may contract with any public agency to transport
water through the facilities, subject to the requirements of this
division.
79622. (a) The authority shall not convey water through the clean
water project for the State Water Resources Development System if
that conveyance would result in more water being exported from the
delta by the State Water Resources Development System than the amount
of water that would have been exported based on the 2006 level of
water development and the water-year type, as determined by the
authority.
(b) The authority shall not convey water through the clean water
project for export by the Central Valley Project if that conveyance
would result in more water being exported from the delta by the
Central Valley Project than the amount of water that would have been
exported based on the 2006 level of water development and the
water-year type, as determined by the authority.
79624. (a) Before a public water agency may enter into a contract
with the authority for water conveyance by means of the clean water
project, the public water agency, as applicable, shall submit to the
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A
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authority a plan approved by the board for reducing the per capita
use of municipal and industrial water by the public water agency and
any municipal and industrial water contractors of the public water
agency by 10 percent by 2015 and 25 percent by 2030 utilizing
increased water efficiency, improved groundwater management,
recycling, and other local water sources.
(b) Before a public water agency may enter into a contract with
the authority for water conveyance by means of the clean water
project, the public water agency, as applicable, shall submit to the
authority a plan approved by the board for reducing the use of
irrigation water by the public water agency and any agricultural
water contractors of the agency. The plan shall demonstrate
financially efficient and technologically feasible methods of water
use reduction.
79625. The authority shall expend moneys in the fund to implement
the clean water project. If moneys in the fund exceed that amount
necessary to complete the clean water project, the remaining funds
shall be expended by the authority for capital outlay projects in
accordance with the priorities set forth in Sections 79641 and
79641.5. If the moneys in the fund are less than the amount necessary
to complete the clean water project, the authority shall contract
with the department for the issuance of revenue bonds in accordance
with Part 3 (commencing with Section 11100) of Division 6 to complete
the clean water project.
79629. The clean water project may be constructed in phases.
79630. The authority shall own and operate facilities constructed
to implement the clean water project. The authority shall maintain
the facilities in good operating condition.
79633. The contracts entered into by the authority to convey
water through the facilities constructed pursuant to subdivision (a)
of Section 79620 shall produce annual revenue adjusted for inflation
that is the sum of all of the following:
(a) The operating costs of those facilities.
(b) An amount equivalent to the average annual principal and
interest payments on the general obligation bonds authorized under
this division and utilized to construct facilities to implement the
clean water project, regardless of whether the bonds are still
outstanding.
(c) A watershed rehabilitation fee in the amount of (S )
per year.
79640. The authority shall expend its revenues from contracts
involving the use of the facilities constructed pursuant to
subdivision (a) of Section 79620 in the following order of priority:
(a) Operation and maintenance of those facilities.
(b) Paying the salaries and other ongoing expenses of the
authority.
(c) Paying for the annual audits required by Section 79648.
(d) Paying for the costs of the board pursuant to this division.
79641. (a) After allocating funds in accordance with Section
79640, not less than 30 percent of the remaining funds shall be
expended for a grant program to fund water conservation, wastewater
reclamation, desalination of brackish groundwater, and other programs
that reduce water needs in areas that rely on water that originates
in the watershed of the bay-delta.
(b) For the purposes of carrying out subdivision (a) , priority
shall be given to programs that benefit low-income households for the
purpose of reducing water bills.
79641.5. After allocating funds in accordance with Sections 79640
and 79641, any remaining funds shall be expended as follows:
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(a) For the recovery of aquatic species in the watersheds of the
bay-delta and Trinity River that are listed as endangered,
threatened, or rare pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act of
1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.) , or the California Endangered
Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3
of the Fish and Game Code) .
(b) For the improvement and protection of the ecosystems, water
quality, and watersheds of the bay-delta estuary, and the Sacramento,
Trinity, and San Joaquin Rivers, including the acquisition of lands
from willing sellers.
79642. The authority shall consult with CALFED and the agencies
that participate in CALFED to avoid duplication, and increase the
effectiveness of expenditures under this division. The authority
shall consider the objectives and functions of the CALFED Bay-Delta
Program in developing its expenditure plan under this division.
79643. The authority shall not, by itself, carry out construction
or ecosystem restoration programs financed by this division, but
shall award grants and contracts to public agencies and nonprofit
organizations, including local conservation corps, to carry out these
programs,
79644, The authority may receive grants or gifts from public
agencies, private entities, or individuals for the purposes of
Section 79640, 79641, or 79641.5.
79645, The authority shall be represented by the Attorney General
in any litigation, and shall reimburse the Attorney General for any
costs incurred.
79646, (a) All revenues received by the authority from the
transmission of water through facilities constructed pursuant to
subdivision (a) of Section 79620 shall be deposited in the Facility
Fund, which is hereby created.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, the
moneys in the Facility Fund are hereby continuously appropriated,
without regard to fiscal years, to the authority in accordance with
Sections 79640, 79641, and 79641.5.
(c) The Department of Finance shall list the authority in the
annual state budget submitted to the Legislature, but the Legislature
may not appropriate authority funds derived from the transmission of
water through the facilities constructed pursuant to subdivision (a)
of Section 79620.
(d) Excluding for the regulatory and permitting authority of the
Department of Fish and Game, the State Water Resources Control Board,
the Department of Toxic Substances Control, and other entities
responsible for pollution control, the authority's programs and
projects are not subject to the approval by any other state entity,
including, but not limited to, the State Public Works Board or the
Department of General Services.
(e) The authority may use moneys in the fund to carry out the
purposes of this division.
79648, (a) The Auditor General shall audit the authority
annually, and shall be reimbursed by the authority for the audit. The
Auditor General shall report the findings of the audit to the
Legislature and the Governor, and shall make the results of the audit
available to the public by posting that information on its Internet
Web site,
(b) The Legislature may appropriate funds for an independent audit
of the authority.
CHAPTER 5. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
79662, If the operation of the clean water project increases the
yield of usable water above amounts that would exist in the absence
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of the project, the authority shall have the right to use that water.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the authority may assign any or all
of that water for environmental purposes or for resolution of legacy
water conflicts.
79665. It is the intent of the Legislature that facilities
financed by this division shall be designed and constructed so as to
improve the security and safety of the state's drinking water system.
79666. It is the intent of the Legislature that investments of
public funds pursuant to this division should result in public
benefits.
79670. Venue for any litigation brought concerning the
construction or operation of the clean water project implemented
pursuant to this division shall be the Superior Court of Sacramento
County.
CHAPTER 6. FISCAL PROVISIONS
79685. (a) Bonds in the total amount of three billion dollars
($3,000,000,000) , not including the amount of any refunding bonds
issued in accordance with Section 79696, or so much thereof as is
necessary, may be issued and sold to provide a fund to be used for
carrying out the purposes expressed in this division and to reimburse
the General Obligation Bond Expense Revolving Fund pursuant to
Section 16724.5 of the Government Code. The bonds, when sold, shall
be and constitute valid and binding obligations of the State of
California, and the full faith and credit of the State of California
is hereby pledged for the punctual payment of both principal of, and
interest on, the bonds as the principal and interest become due and
payable.
(b) The Treasurer shall sell the bonds authorized by the committee
pursuant to this section. The bonds shall be sold upon the terms and
conditions specified in a resolution to be adopted by the committee
pursuant to Section 16731 of the Government Code.
79686. The bonds authorized by this division shall be prepared,
executed, issued, sold, paid, and redeemed as provided in the State
General Obligation Bond Law, and all of the provisions of that law
apply to the bonds and to this division and are hereby incorporated
in this division as though set forth in full in this division.
79687. (a) Solely for the purpose of authorizing the issuance and
sale, pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law, of the
bonds authorized by this division, the Clean Drinking Water, Water
Supply Security, and Environmental Improvement Bond Finance Committee
is hereby created. For purposes of this division, the Clean Drinking
Water, Water Supply Security, and Environmental Improvement Bond
Finance Committee is "the committee" as that term is used in the
State General Obligation Bond Law. The committee consists of the
Controller, the Director of Finance, and the Treasurer, or their
designated representatives. The Treasurer shall serve
as chairperson of the committee.
A majority of the committee may act for the committee.
(b) For purposes of the State General Obligation Bond Law, the
department is designated the "board. "
79688. The committee shall determine whether or not it is
necessary or desirable to issue bonds authorized pursuant to this
division to carry out this division and, if so, the amount of bonds
to be issued and sold. Successive issues of bonds may be authorized
and sold to carry out those actions progressively, and it is not
necessary that all of the bonds authorized to be issued be sold at
any one time.
79689. There shall be collected each year and in the same manner
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SB 1612 Senate Bill - AMENDED Page 9 of 12
and at the same time as other state revenue is collected, in addition
to the ordinary revenues of the state, a sum in an amount required
to pay the principal of, and interest on, the bonds each year, and it
is the duty of all officers charged by law with any duty in regard
to the collection of the revenue to do and perform each and every act
which is necessary to collect that additional sum.
79690. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code,
there is hereby appropriated from the General Fund in the State
Treasury, for the purposes of this division, an amount that will
equal the total of the following:
(a) The sum annually necessary to pay the principal of, and
interest on, bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division, as the
principal and interest become due and payable.
(b) The sum that is necessary to carry out Section 79693,
appropriated without regard to fiscal years.
79691. The department may request the Pooled Money Investment
Board to make a loan from the Pooled Money Investment Account,
including other authorized forms of interim financing that include,
but are not limited to, commercial paper, in accordance with Section
16312 of the Government Code, for the purpose of carrying out this
division. The amount of the request shall not exceed the amount of
the unsold bonds that the committee has, by resolution, authorized to
be sold for the purpose of carrying out this division. The
department shall execute those documents required by the Pooled Money
Investment Board to obtain and repay the loan. Any amounts loaned
shall be deposited in the fund to be allocated by the department in
accordance with this division.
79692. Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, or
of the State General Obligation Bond Law, if the Treasurer sells
bonds that include a bond counsel opinion to the effect that the
interest on the bonds is excluded from gross income for federal tax
purposes under designated conditions, the Treasurer may maintain
separate accounts for the bond proceeds invested and for the
investment earnings on those proceeds, and may use or direct the use
of those proceeds or earnings to pay any rebate, penalty, or other
payment required under federal law or take any other action with
respect to the investment and use of those bond proceeds, as may be
required or desirable under federal law in order to maintain the
tax-exempt status of those bonds and to obtain any other advantage
under federal law on behalf of the funds of this state.
79693. For the purposes of carrying out this division, the
Director of Finance may authorize the withdrawal from the General
Fund of an amount or amounts not to exceed the amount of the unsold
bonds that have been authorized by the committee to be sold for the
purpose of carrying out this division. Any amounts withdrawn shall be
deposited in the fund. Any money made available under this section
shall be returned to the General Fund, with interest at the rate
earned by the money in the Pooled Money Investment Account, from
proceeds received from the sale of bonds for the purpose of carrying
out this division.
79694. All money deposited in the fund that is derived from
premium and accrued interest on bonds sold pursuant to this division
shall be reserved in the fund and shall be available for transfer to
the General Fund as a credit to expenditures for bond interest.
79695. Pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 16720) of
Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the cost of
bond issuance shall be paid out of the bond proceeds.
79696. The bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division may be
refunded in accordance with Article 6 (commencing with Section
16780) of Chapter 4 of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the
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SB 1612 Senate Bill - AMENDED Page 10 of 12
Government Code, which is a part of the State General Obligation Bond
Law. Approval by the electors of the state for the issuance of the
bonds under this division shall include approval of the issuance of
any bonds issued to refund any bonds originally issued under this
division or any previously issued refunding bonds.
79697. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that, inasmuch
as the proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this division
are not "proceeds of taxes" as that term is used in Article XIII B of
the California Constitution, the disbursement of these proceeds is
not subject to the limitations imposed by that article.
SEC. 2. Section 1 of this act shall become
operative only if both of the following occur:
(a) SCA of the 2005-06 Regular Session is submitted to and
approved by the voters at the November 7, 2006, statewide general
election.
(b) The voters approve the Clean Drinking Water, Water Supply
Security, and Environmental Improvement Bond Act of 2006, as set
forth in Section 1 of this act.
SEC. 3. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, all ballots of the election shall have printed thereon and in a
square thereof, the words: "Clean Drinking Water, Water Supply
Security, and Environmental Improvement Bond Act of 2006" and in the
same square under those words, the following in 8-point type: "This
act provides for a bond issue of three billion dollars
($3,000,000,000) to provide funds to substantially improve drinking
water quality, enhance the environment, and prevent disasters from
interrupting California 's major water supply. "
(b) Opposite the square, there shall be left spaces in which the
voters may mark the ballot in the manner required by law to indicate
whether they vote for or against the act.
(c) Where voting in the election is done by means of voting
machines used pursuant to law in a manner that carries out the intent
of this section, the use of the voting machines and the expression
of the voters ' choice by means thereof are in compliance with this
section.
SEC. 4. Notwithstanding Sections 13247 and 13281
of the Elections Code, the language in Section 3 shall be the only
language included in the ballot label for the condensed statement of
the ballot title, and the Attorney General shall not supplement,
subtract from, or revise that language, except that the Attorney
General may include the financial impact summary prepared pursuant to
Section 9087 of the Elections Code and Section 88003 of the
Government Code. The ballot label is the condensed statement of the
ballot title and the financial impact summary.
SEC. 5. Notwithstanding the requirements of any
other provision of law, the Secretary of State shall submit Section 1
of this act to the voters at the November 7, 2006, statewide general
election.
SEC. 6. This act is an urgency statute necessary
for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety
within the meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go
into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
In order to enhance the security and reliability of the state's
water supplies, as soon as possible, thereby protecting public health
and safety and the environment, it is therefore necessary that this
act take effect immediately.
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SB 1612 Senate Bill - AMENDED Page 11 of 12
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SB 1.612 Senate Bill AMENDED Page 12 of 12
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CONTRA COSTA TIMIS
-1-11-11..........-.1".. 1.......... I..".......,............................. ..................................................... .... . .............L ..........................
Posted on Thu, Apt. 13, 2006 0(0
Peripheral canal plan resurfaces
By Mike Taugher
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
The Delta has degraded so badly that it is time to consider building a highly controversial canal to protect water supplies, a Day Area
legislator says.
State Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, has offered legislation that for the first time in more than 20 years asks state lawmakers to consider a
version of the Peripheral Canal.
"It's the Peripheral Canal. it's the death knell for the Delta. It's just a water grab," said Dante John Nomelllnl Sr., manager and counsel for
the Central Delta Water Agency.
If Simitian succeeds, there will be nothing to prevent water quality in the Delta from worsening, NornQflinl said.
Simitian's canal bill would place more control in the hands of Northern Californians, biologists and environmentalists than the original canal
plan.
Nevertheless, it appears bound to resurrect the bitterly divisive fight that ended when overwhelming opposition in Northern California
defeated the canal In 1962.
Simitian's bold entry into California's water morass comes at a delicate time. During the past year, it has become clear that Delta water
policies are not working and a tenuous 10-year cease-fire In the state's historic water wars is close to, or is in fact, disintegrating.
Some water officials said Simitian, by electrifying what has been called the third rail of Californla p0litICS, could cause more divisiveness and
hardening of positions. That could set back halting efforts to fix the Delta's problems.
But others said the Delta's environmental decline, the )ones Tract flood of 2004 and the fresh images of levee failures In New Orleans make
this a good time to confront the Delta's problems by revisiting the canal.
Although Simitian's bill has little chance of success, there is a growing sense among some biologists, water policy officials and
environmentalists that a modified canal might be the best way to address the Delta's problems. SImillan said it is time for an ambitious plan
because the Delta is failing. Fish populations are in sharp decline, growing evidence indicates that the Delta's; levees are vulnerable to failure
and California's Delta-based water policy Is in disarray.
"From an environmental perspective,the Delta is going to hell in a handbasket. And somehow people think the status quo IS working," said
Simitian.
Still, the bill faces stiff opposition.
"I'm very surprised that Joe the environmentalist is out there proposti-9 something that many people think would be disastrous for the Delta,"
said state Sen. Mike Machado, D-Linden, a key legislator on Delta water issues.
Machado said the bill would "enflame the embers" of the Peripheral Canal fight and complicate ongoing efforts to save the Delta.
"Here we are in the midst of trying to figure out what to do with the Delta, and now out of the blue Mr. Simitlan, who has not been involved
(in California water Issues), says he wants to build a Peripheral Canal in my district. I think it's overreaching on his part," Machado said.
The Dili, Machado said, amounts to a declaration. that, "the Delta is not worth saving and I'm going to build a canal to get water to the Santa
Clara Water District so I can get a shower."
"I think it's selfish and uncalled for," he said.
Theoriginal Peripheral Canal would have taken water out of the sacrarnento River south of the capital and Carried to Tracy, where it would be
shipped south.
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I T 111117 1 1 7 1, io '
[Page 1. of')
COM-RA OOSTA"nmisC_ d
............I......... ............................................................................................ ............................
................
Posted on Fri, Apr. 14, 2006 6q,0
Don't abandon Delta
FRUSTRATION DOES NOT always spawn the best ideas. Such is the case concerning a bill to revive the Peripheral Canal to divert water
around the Delta. The many years of inaction to save the Delta ecosystem and protect the fresh water that 23 million Callfornians depend
upon certainly has been cause for frustration. But the lack of political will to do what is necessary to shore up levees and maintain adequate
fresh water flows into the Delta need not result in an abandonment of efforts to do what is necessary.
State Sen. Joe Sini D-Palo Alto, understandably is upset about the deteriorating and vulnerable levee system In the Delta. If several of
the levees failed, fresh water supplies for two-thirds of Californians would be In jeopardy.
That is why he has resurrected the highly controversial Peripheral Canal, which was defeated by voters in 1982.
The overwhelming opposition to the canal in Northern California overcame less-than-overwhelming support in Southern California. Today, if
the same percentages of voter opposition in Northern California and support In Southern California were tallied, it is likely that the Peripheral
Canal would pass. Since 1992, growth in the southern part of the state has been far greater than in the north. Also, this titre around, a
revised plan that appears to be friendly to the environment might have a better chance for approval.
At least that's what Simitian is considering.
His bill would place a $3 blillon bond measure, on the ballot to build a smaller Peripheral Canal. The board that controls the canal Would be
made up of environmentalists, fisheries experts and almost exclusively Northern Californians. Under Simitian's bill, the canal would not be
able to divert any more water from the Delta than is now allowed- The measure also calls for substantial urban water conservation plans.
However, the bill does not have guarantees for fresh water flows Into the Delta, It places a heavier conservation burden on urban users than
on agriculture, which uses at least 60 percent of the water and has been lax on employing the most efficient irrigation techniques.
There is a very real danger that ever) a modified Peripheral Canal would end up accelerating the deterioration of the Delta ecosystem and
eventually destroy it. instead of coming up with plans to divert water around the Delta, state officials need to focus on fixing the problem by
rebuilding key levees and making sure that enough fresh water flows Into the Delta even in dry periods.
The Delta needs to be restored and safeguarded, not abandoned, as this latest version of the Perlpheral Canal threatens to do.
........... .................. ................... .............................................. ........................................................ ............................. ..............
1Itp://Nk- w.contra.costatimes.con-t,'jjild/cctimes/news/opinion/14')4187S.litni?tcmplate=contentYi.odules/piints... 5/112006
<cc0fcontra.napanet. To: <comments@cob.cccounty.us>
net> cc:
04/30/2006 10:49 PM Subject: Data posted to form 1 of
http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/depart/cao/agendacomments_form.ht
m
Username: Michael F. Sarabia
UserAddress: P.O. Box 5156, Bay Point, 94565
UserTel: 925 .709-0751
UserEmail: mchlsrrb@aol.com .
AgendaDate: 05/02/06
Option: Selected
AgendaItem: SD4
Remote Name: --- "
Remote User:
HTTP User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.5; AOL 6.0; Windows 98)
Date: 30 Apr 2006
Time: 22 :49:54
Comments:
The Peripheral Canal was described in the Contra Costa Times of April 13th
"Others, including the Contra Costa Water District, said that removing fresh
water from the Delta would turn it into a sump of seawater and agricultural
drainage. " Lack of fresh water will turn the Delta into a cesspool of
agricultural runoff pesticides and fertilizers. 3969 words April 30, 2006 '
(11:11pm)
This seems a result of meddling with market forces that make it profitable to
produce uneconomical crops. It did not protect farm jobs and harvests machine
reduce them; nothing justifies making the California Delta a cesspool.
The Sunday Times' "Engineers Discover Key to Delta Smelt Crisis" (23 April,
2006] reviewed the Delta problems; "Unraveling the mystery" includes the
broad outline of what might be driving the collapse of several fish species is
emerging. . . Scientists last year said the cause of the population decline
could likely be traced to three broad categories. " 1. Salinity; 2. Water
export and 3 . Invasive species. "Today none of those three have been
eliminated, and . . . a combination of all three is at play. " (The Editorial in
The Sunday Times, April 30th, is more definite but partially backs off. The
correlation between salinity and loss of smelt fish, by the CCWD is called
"strong correlation" but later, this is questioned because the salinity
coincides with growth in Asian overbite clams and the fact the correlation
does not hold in the years prior to the overbite clam. It is notable that
there are no studies made in ponds or aquariums also, the cause-and-effect
relation is no
t logically established -but is admitted. }
If your Vet told you that "any of three foods" was killing your pet, and
prescribed "cut out two of them and if the pet dies, we will know the
culprit. " You'd say pet, and Delta, deserve better.
To restore market economics: Make farmers pay the full cost of irrigation
water, with a surcharge for the pro-rated cost of cleaning runoff. Cities pay
great sums making river water suitable for drinking.
And let cities buy "Water-Rights" from farms, and the Delta will begin to
recover because the runoff will be reduced -or ended. Must we wait until after
the Delta is a cess pool with putrid smelling water? Farm runoffs must be
reduced by either increasing farm irrigation water prices, or reducing water
use by farms by buying their "water-rights" . Cities must deal with untreated
water runoff. The problem is not heavy rains, since they dilute the runoff
Delta became one of the major goals of the Central Valley Project (CVP) . The
Water Exchange Contract was a water supply agreement with San Joaquin Valley
irrigators to exchange northern water for natural flows of the San Joaquin
River diverted at Friant Dam. The contract came about to assure lower San
Joaquin farmers that they would not lose irrigation water due to construction
of Friant. In 1944, Reclamation officials realized the salinity problem in the
.Delta was more pronounced than previously thought. The Director thought Shasta
Dam could not alone control the salinity problem, precluding use of the Delta"
as a reservoir.
An alternative to reduce salinity was to build a conduit through or around the
Delta to carry Sacramento River water to the other side without mixing it with
Delta water. The proposed conduit foreshadowed plans for the Peripheral Canal.
[The assumed pollution source was the Delta, not farms. ] But, it became
controversial. Reclamation proposed the Peripheral Canal to the Interagency
Delta Committee in 1963 as a "water transfer system. " By 1965, the proposed
canal had total acceptance in the Delta region. California wanted Reclamation
to construct the Peripheral Canal, but the State to control it. Reclamation
did not want State control, but had no authority to build it. The Department
of Water Resources (DWR) , had authority to construct the canal. Changing
attitudes on the environment, changed perceptions of the Peripheral Canal.
Contra Costa County opposed it because voters saw it a way to send water to
So. California.
At the same time, questions arose about the environmental impact of the
Peripheral Canal on fish populations in the Delta and Central Valley.
Environmentalists believed the canal's outlets would draw fish to them. They
also believed the nitrogen rich water from agricultural drainage could foster
algae growth, stagnating waters and suffocating the fish. The Department of
Water Resources "proposed an amalgam of joint state-federal programs and
facilities, " including the 42-mile Peripheral Canal, in 1977.
DWR contended the canal would circumvent Delta channels and carry water more
efficiently from Sacramento River to pumps of Central Valley and State Water
Projects.
The canal could release fresh water into the Delta at certain points along
its reaches to support irrigation, to benefit fish and wildlife, and to combat
salt water intrusion. Supporters, including the Metropolitan Water District of
southern California and various agribusinesses, argued the canal would .help
end the reverse flows caused by the south Delta pumps.
The pumping plants in the Delta had a major and detrimental effect on
stream flow in the Delta and the San Joaquin River Basin. During low water
flow and high quantities of exports, the Delta pumps actually reversed the
flow of the San Joaquin River, taking it back upstream. Through the Delta' s
transport system, water normally traveling west, toward San Pablo Bay, moves
back to the southeast. The "reverse flows" disorient fish, luring them to the
pumps, and draw salty ocean water into the San Joaquin River and other
waterways. Opponents argued against exports of water and the environmental
impact of the canal. A referendum on the project (Proposition 9) in 1982
failed because of cost (est $3 .1 Billion) and environmental concerns. The
entire Central Valley Project and parts of the State Water Project, supply
water to the Central Valley, and they all contribute to environmental
problems.
The decline of Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River, particularly,
winter-run Chinook salmon, became a major problem. The U.S. listed as
threatened species and endangered species by California. The population of
winter-run Chinook in 1969 was 117, 000. In 1991, only 191 adults returned to
the Sacramento River to spawn.
Factors linked to the decline of' the. Chinook population include predation by• '
two species introduced into the Delta, Striped bass and Colorado River squaw
fish, lack of water flow in the rivers because of upstream dams, and
disorientation and destruction by the Delta Division pumping plants. Striped
bass also had large declines. An species facing possible extinction is the
3-inch Delta smelt, found only in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the smelt
O
exploded to 298, 984 by 1950. Merced County had a population of 46, 988 in 1940,
and Stanislaus had 74, 866 inhabitants, which grew to an estimated 81, 000 by
1942 . With the rest of California, the counties in the Delta reached
population numbers rarely found in counties of western states. By 1990,
Alameda County hada population of 1, 279, 182, and Sacramento was the second
largest county with 1, 041,219. Contra Costa County reached a population of
803, 732, and Fresno had 667,490.
Authorization: President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the Central Valley
Project on December 2, 1935. Originally the Project contained three Divisions;
Friant and Kennett (Shasta) Dams, and Contra Costa (Delta) . The Rivers and
Harbors Act of 1937 , re-authorized the CVP's initial divisions. The act
prioritized improvement of navigation, regulation, and flood control of the
Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, with irrigation and domestic uses
secondary. On July 1, 1937, Reclamation changed the name of the Contra Costa
.Division to the Delta Division which included the Contra Costa Canal and the
San Joaquin Pumping System.
Benefits: The facilities of the Delta Division provide irrigation water for
farm land in the Central Valley. Most of the land lies outside the Delta. The
Contra Costa and Delta-Mendota Canals served over 300, 000 people in 1966.
About 18, 000 people in the Delta received water from the Central Valley
Project in 1977 . Over 190, 000 received water for urban uses. One priority of
Delta residents is assuring a supply of fresh water for a variety of uses.
Salinity control contributed to some discord between Reclamation and Delta
water users. Reclamation encountered problems in negotiating repayment
contracts with the water users because irrigation expenses for Central Valley
water users became salinity control costs for Delta water users.
Reclamation did reach a repayment agreement with the Sacramento River and
Delta Water Association and the Delta Water Users Association in November
.1965 . World War II created more problems for agriculture on the Delta than
just halting construction of Delta Division facilities. Removal of Japanese
and Japanese-Americans from the west coast and the Central Valley caused a
shortage of farm workers at harvest time, but Mexican farm workers alleviated
the problem. The Delta Division supports a large agricultural industry even
with the problems it faces with salinity intrusion. Farmers in the Division
grow a large number of crops on many acres of land. Much of the acreage lies
south of the geographic Delta.
-----------------------
The Peripheral Canal Will Destroy the Delta. The Sunday Times' "Engineers
Discover Key to Delta Smelt, Crisis" [23 April, 20063 reviewed the Delta
problems, the paragraph "Unraveling the mystery" includes ". . . the broad
outline of what might be driving the collapse of several fish species is
emerging. . . Scientists last year said the cause of the population decline
could likely be traced to three broad categories. " 1. Salinity; 2. Water
"export" and 3 . Invasive species. "
Today none of those three have been eliminated, and many experts say a
combination of all three is at play. "
If your Vet told you that any of three foods was the killing your pet, and
added "cut off two of the foods and if the pet dies, we will know the true
culprit. " The Delta, and your pet, deserve better. It is bogus, to propose to
do nothing until we know which pesticide, or fertilizer, is killing each
fish.
Clarification: "Salinity" is defined as the presence of a "salt" , not
necessarily ' sea water' . The term used in a detailed briefing by an expert
Contra Costa Water District Manager, was "salts and bromides" , the difference
in terms (I specifically asked to clear this ambiguity) allows for the
possibility that runoff "from cities and farms" , mentioned in the Times'
article, may be the culprit, and not Ocean tide water salt alone.
Water export contributes, because it reduces dilution.
Alternative: Let cities buy water-rights from farms along the San Joaquin
River; with three benefits. [Sunday Times, 30 April: Shapell Homes. . .
"Pioneered the use of water transfers in California. Specifically, it bought
"export" and 3 . Invasive species. Today none of those three have been
eliminated, and many experts say a combination of all three is at play. "
If your Vet told you that any of three foods was the killing your pet , and
added "cut off two of the foods and if the pet dies, we will know the true
culprit. " The Delta, and your pet, deserve better. It is bogus, to propose to
do nothing until we know which pesticide, or fertilizer, is killing each
fish.
Alternative: Let So. California buy water-rights from farms along the San
Joaquin River; with three benefits.
First, the land will revert to its natural dry state but, farm-runoff, the
likely culprit for the smelt killoff (and the putrid water taste) , will end,
Second: Los Angeles will have enough water until they begin building
desalinization plants. They could use waste heat from their power plants.
Third: Market-forces will determine which farms are truly profitable and which
farms survive while producing unprofitable crops because of state water
subsidies.
Presently, the state sells water to farms at less than its true cost and they
produce products, like cotton, that are sent to a low-wage nation for
processing. Farmers could use desert-type irrigation techniques, with little,
or no, runoff and the Delta will begin to heal. This is not wishful thinking,
zero-runoff farms already exist.
Please imagine the cello music from the movie "Jaws"."Jaws" was about a public
official, a Sheriff, who wanted to warn the people about a serious public danger but his
efforts put his job, reputation, and life, at risk. The movie seemed familiar until I
recalled I had read the same story line: Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People" in
which a Medical Officer warns people of a public danger, a problem with the water.
The Peripheral Canal is a menace to the health of the people that live around, or drink
water from, the Delta. One reason why we should not build this canal.The Sunday
Times had an Editorial which included "... water shipments to the San Joaquin Valley
and Southern California were shifted from the spring... The idea behind the shift was
to protect fish that spawned near the intake of water pumps at Tracy. Unfortunately,
the time shift appears to have made the Delta saltier in the fall. The Asian overbite
clam, which flourishes in brackish water, began to spread more rapidly from the San
Francisco Bay into Suisun Bay and into the Delta as salinity levels rose... a decision
to shift pumping times may have caused major harm to the Delta environment that
will be difficult to reverse."
Then,there is Mono Lake, officials approved the environmental impact report to lower
' water level by 20 feet. After much litigations the officers that protect the
environment agreed to restore water flow into Mono Lake and large
bird migrations are coming back.Did they "learn from their mistake.
The poison in Mono Lake is salinity -not Ocean water. The Delta, also, has a
"salinity" problem. Are they talking about "salts and bromide compounds" Not,
ocean salinity? If you call it "salts", it could be runoff from farms and urban areas
along rivers and the Delta. Maybe we ought to address runoff from urban areas
but, that is a minor problem compared to removing water from the Delta with the
Peripheral Canal which could make the Delta worse than Mono Lake.
If the water cleansing effect ont e Delta ends, we will soon be drinking water
with stronger chemicals to remove " who-knows-what!" and more Chlorine to
make it drinkable. Nobody knows the long-term effects of drinking unknown
chemical soups, daily, in great quantities, for years. Will they damage the brain?
Dissolve neuron links? Some admit limits to their skill, neurology is beyond me.
Newspapers tell us about people who "went along" and failed to object to plans,
maybe, out of fear. Those with the courage to speak, may be the "strongest",
Ibsen wrote in his play [1882]. And, Aquinas delighted to quote St. Ambrose:
"Every truth, whoever said it, comes from God."M. sarabia, Bay Point MAC May 2, 2006
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