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

Protect northern California water

Coalition response…Individuals who suggest that California is going to steal land and water from Northern Californians are not focusing on the facts about land and water rights. The twin tunnels under consideration as part of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan are designed to move water to which users in the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California already have rights. Water rights holders in Northern California are protected by language in the California Water Code that prevents any project from negatively impacting an existing water right. Furthermore, the amount of water that will be allowed through the tunnels is limited by the available supplies in the Sacramento River. During a wet year more water can be moved because more is available in the system. When it is dry, smaller amounts would be moved. A simple fact sheet outlines this process here:  www.farmwater.org/exportthrottle.pdf.

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