From News Line, a daily compilation of farm water news distributed to CFWC members and others upon request. To receive News Line, click here.

Latest piece of Delta tunnel plan looks at environmental effects

Coalition response…Significant changes have taken place in the Bay Delta Conservation Plan process since a year ago, among them the number of intakes in the north Delta from five to three. The amount of water to be moved through the tunnels has also been reduced from 15,000 cubic feet per second to only 9,000 cubic feet per second.

Locating the intakes in the north Delta also benefits the smelt, which does not reside in that area. During most years, the smelt are expected to increase in numbers with increased food supplies produced in the more than 100,000 acres of new habitat.  Biologists have indicated that added habitat could result in higher productivity for the salmonid fish by giving them more area in which to grow instead of being flushed immediately out of the Delta.

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