Everyone agrees that the Delta is broken.  It doesn’t work for water users or environmental needs and it’s at risk of permanent damage if the earthquake that scientists predict hits anytime soon. 

The proposed fix titled “Key Elements of a Strategic Plan to Implement the Delta Vision," prepared by a number of environmental organizations for the Governor’s Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force, recommends dedicating huge amounts of additional water for the Delta’s ecosystem while leaving water users holding the bag with a LESS reliable water supply and HIGHER costs.

Proposals include new or higher fees for water users that exercise their water rights, a reduction in the amount of water that can be reliably exported from the Delta to serve millions of acres of farmland and 25 million Californians and a salinity plan that would essentially empty upstream reservoirs in the spring leaving little or no water in the summer for irrigation or other uses.  This is in spite of the fact that cold water releases from upstream reservoirs in the summer are extremely important to maintaining the Delta’s ecosystem health.  What in the world are they thinking?

Let’s hope the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force is more interested in a balanced solution that benefits ALL Californians and not one designed by a few special interest groups.