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CSPA's Daily Digital Newspaper -- Last Edited 07/03/2009 02:48 PM
CSPA is proud to publish a diverse spread of news on California's fisheries but does not necessarily agree with the position of every story published. Look for the CSPA Seal __________________________________________________________________________________________ | |||||
Salazar's visit and Nunes' rhetoric Delta water bills and the battle to stop the canal __________________________________________________________________________________ | |||||
from the Stockton Record
Delta advocates plan Capitol rally
By Alex Breitler July 3, 2009 -- Hundreds of Delta advocates plan to rally next week at the state Capitol, fearing that behind-the-scenes negotiations by legislators over the future of the estuary will shut them out of the debate until it is too late...(Continued on-line at the Stockton Record) _________________________________________ from Restore the Delta
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Hot button Issues, the full story... |
| Harvesting sea palms along the coast at Pt. Arena. |
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from the Sacramento Bee
State budget crisis scuttles Delta levee hazard detection, repair
By Matt Weiser
July 3, 2009 -- Politicians across the state are demanding major water projects in the Delta, but basic repairs on its vast network of levees have come to a standstill...(Continued on-line at the Sacramento Bee)
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from the Marin Independent Journal
Hunt for food sending young sea lions ashore in Marin
July 3, 2009 -- A lack of food in the ocean is causing a large number of juvenile sea lions to come ashore, unable to return to the water because they are malnourished, say officials at the Marine Mammal Center in the Marin Headlands...(Continued on-line at the Marin Independent Journal)
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from the San Francisco Chronicle
Thousands rally to protest water cuts in Fresno
Farmworkers paid to attend rallies, signs printed by a multinational PR firm, a "Latino" organization, financed by corporate ag, a Hollywood comedian spokesman for farmworkers who actually owns a forty acre orchard, more lies about the water allocated (86% actual vs. 10% hyped) and a millionaire farmer who chooses not to plant rather than dig a well because he can't suck more money from the public dole. The Nunes violin is starting to play some very sour notes. Ed.
By Tracie Cone (Associated Press)
July 2, 2009 -- Thousands of farmers, farmworkers and their supporters rallied at City Hall on Wednesday, calling on federal officials to ease regulations that have cut water supplies to the nation's most prolific growing region...(Continued on-line at the San Francisco Chronicle)
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DFG News Release
DFG Enforcement Chief honored as Wildlife Officer of the Year
CSPA commends the Shikar-Safari Club for its recognition of Chief Foley's dedication and we extend our gratitude for her outstanding service. However it's time the governor recognized these law enforcement officers efforts as well by raising wardens salaries to parity with the CHP. Ed.
July 2, 2009 -- Nancy Foley, Chief of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Law Enforcement Division (LED) has been named as the Shikar-Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year. This annual award is given to qualified individuals who demonstrate extraordinary service to protecting California's wildlife resources...(Continued on-line at the DFG website)
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from the El Dorado Irrigation District
Caples Lake fills, fish restocking commences
July 2, 2009 -- Placerville, CA . . . One year after the El Dorado Irrigation District (district) Board of Directors declared an emergency to repair the outlet works at the Caples Lake main dam, the lake’s water level is nearly full and an ambitious fish restocking program is well underway. Visitors will find the full array of outdoor recreation activities—hiking, camping, fishing, photography, wildlife viewing, and more—that they are used to at the lake and in the surrounding area...(Continued
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Peripheral Canal: Panama Canal North? Proposed government boondoggle would be 500 to 700 feet wide, with 1,300 foot right-of-wayP
by Dan Bacher. editor of the FishSnifffer
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| The "conveyance" through the east delta would rival the Panama Canal in size and length. |
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Restore the Delta is asking you to take special action on behalf of protecting the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
July 1, 2009 -- The California Legislature is waffling on when the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee Hearing will be held to review a Delta Solutions Package. Even more disturbing, as of 6:30 a.m. today, they have not released a comprehensive bill for public review. We have heard, however, that a select group of people, not including any Delta representatives, may be reviewing some copies of what is in the works...(Continued)
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from the Oakland Tribune
Farmers heading to downtown Fresno for water rally
The headlines are getting smaller now that it's out that the "demonstrators" are being paid to show up and the "rally" is in truth a scam from Burson-Marsteller (B-M), the astroturfing PR firm hired by the California Latino Water Coalition, a "front" group with a phony name that really represents big ag. Ed.
July 1, 2009 -- Streets in downtown Fresno are being closed to traffic as officials prepare for potentially thousands of farmers and their supporters gathering for a water rally...(Continued on-line at the Oakland Tribune)
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from the Eureka Times-Standard
Klamath restoration negotiations delayed
By Donna Tam
July 1, 2009 -- Dam removal negotiators were unable to come to an agreement Tuesday, missing the deadline set for finalizing a plan to remove four aging dams on the Klamath River...(Continued on-line at the Eureka Times-Standard)
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from the San Francisco Chronicle
Otter population falls as humans pollute ocean
By Jane Kay
July 1, 2009 -- Sea otters along the California coast are dying off faster than at any time since the late 1990s, a disturbing trend that experts say is partially due to human-caused water pollution, the U.S. Geological Survey reported Tuesday...(Continued on-line at the San Francisco Chronicle)
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from the San Jose Mercury News
Feds threaten to seize Angel Island, Mt. Tam
By Paul Rogers
June 30, 2009 -- The federal government is threatening to take possession of several of California's most prominent state parks - including Angel Island and Mount Tamalpais - if Sacramento lawmakers close them to balance the budget...(Continued on -line at the San Jose Mercury News)
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from DFG
Stranded Chinook Salmon Successfully Rescued from Butte Creek
June 30, 2009 -- State and federal fisheries experts have successfully captured and transported 26 spring run Chinook salmon stranded in Butte Creek near Chico. The fish, which are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act, had stopped their migratory journey through the lower reach of the river because of rising water temperatures. The rescue effort by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) included netting the fish, implanting radio transmitters in them and moving them upstream to cooler water so they can continue their spawning migration...(Continued on-line at DFG)
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from the Department of the Interior
Salazar: Klamath Basin Agreement “Within Reach”: Sets September Deadline for Final Deal on Potential Dam Removal
June 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – A final agreement on water management and dam removal in the Klamath River Basin in Oregon and California is “within reach” and should be completed by the end of summer, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said today...(Continued on-line at DOI)
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from the Fresno Bee
Water activists to rally in Fresno: Hundreds, perhaps thousands, expected
Is this another case of farm workers being paid to "rally" for valley agribusiness? Does big ag really care? No this is just more "spin" from Burson-Marsteller (B-M), the astroturfing PR firm hired by the California Latino Water Coalition, a "front" group with a phony name that really represents big ag. (B_M is the same firm that was hired to cover up 3 Mile Island)"...(Continued on-line at the Fresno Bee)
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from the San Francisco Chronicle
Truth drought: California's real shortfall
by Peter Glick, President of the Pacific Institute
June 30, 2009 -- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar came to California on Sunday to hear firsthand about California's drought. Unfortunately, some of what he heard was misleading or false. Certainly farms and farmers are suffering, so are fish and ecosystems. But so is the truth. Here are three oft-repeated falsehoods...(Continued on-line at the San Francisco Chronicle)
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How a PR firm can manufacture
a water crisis
The Public Relations firm from Hell
By Lloyd G. Carter,
"Cesar Chavez knew the power of a good march. He led by example and he never stopped trying until he found a way. And this is exactly what we are going to do. We never will stop until we find a way, find a way together here, because this is the right thing to do, because we need water, we need water, we need water, we need water [chanting with crowd]." Gov. Schwarzenegger, on April 17, at the San Luis Reservoir...(Continued)
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Salazar Announces Aid to Valley Agribusiness, Doesn't Endorse Canal
by Dan Bacher, editor of the Fish Sniffer
June 29, 2009 -- At a packed town hall meeting in Fresno on June 28, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced steps the Obama Administration is taking in response to agribusiness claims of drought impacts on the San Joaquin Valley, including the distribution of $220 million in Recovery Act funding for water and environmental infrastructure projects in California...(Continued)
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CVP (Federal) subsidies equivalent to over THREE BILLION DOLLARS!
Farming and Subsidies on the Westside
by Felix E. Smith
June 29, 2009 -- Water delivered by the Federal Central Valley Project (CVP) has long been recognized as a subsidy. Much of the land on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley and the source of a lot of the selenium, agricultural chemicals and drainage / pollution of the San Joaquin River would not be farmed were it not for public / taxpayer subsidies...(Continued)
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DOI Press Release
Secretary Salazar, Senior Administration and Congressional Officials Hold Town Hall Meeting on California Water Shortage: Announce Federal Efforts to Help Water Users
June 28, 2009 -- FRESNO, CA – At a town hall meeting in Fresno, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Mike Connor and members of the California Congressional Delegation today announced multiple steps the Obama Administration is taking to alleviate the heavy toll on Californians resulting from the ongoing water shortage...(Continued at the DOI)
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from the Santa Cruz Sentinel
Our Ocean Backyard: Do sick sea lions signal a new El Nino?
By Dan Haifley
June 27, 2009 -- An alarming increase in the number of sick, undernourished sea lions along California's shoreline has overwhelmed those who work to treat distressed marine mammals and has spawned theories about why it is happening...(Continued on-line at the Santa Cruz Sentinel)
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from the Sacramento Bee
California coastal herring fishery to close
By Matt Weiser
Saturday, Jun. 27, 2009 - The commercial herring fishery on the California coast will be closed for the first time in history in response to historically low population numbers...(Continued on-line at the Sacramento Bee)
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Fishermen to Interior Secretary: Don’t Make Fish the Scapegoat For Valley Unemployment and Water Woes
June 27, 2009 -- SAN FRANCISCO – A coalition of commercial and recreational fishermen and allied businesses are calling on Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to let science and facts be his guide when he meets with growers and water agencies on Sunday in Fresno...(Continued)
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Nunes tries it again!
Valley lawmakers can't block water legislation
By Michael Doyle
June 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — San Joaquin Valley lawmakers have failed again in their effort to block the environmental rules steering irrigation water toward the protection of endangered species...(Continued on-line at the Fresno Bee)
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from the Sacramento Bee
State declares longfin smelt a threatened species
By Matt Weiser
June 26, 2009 -- The longfin smelt today was declared a threatened species in California, officially adding another imperiled fish to the long list of problems affecting the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta...(Continued on-line at the Sacramento Bee)
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Secretary Salazar to Speak at Town Meeting on Drought in Fresno
Valley Politicians Perpetuate the Myth of "Fish Versus People"
by Dan Bacher, editor of the FishSniffer
June 26, 2009 -- Bowing to pressure from Representatives Devin Nunes, Jim Costa, Dennis Cardoza and George Radanovich, the Department of Interior will hold a "town hall meeting on the drought in California" on Sunday, June 28, from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. in Fresno at a site to be announced...(Continued)
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from El Dorado Irrigation District
Trophy fish released into Caples Lake
June 25, 2009 -- Placerville, CA… Approximately 1,500 trophy-sized rainbow trout—totaling 9,000 pounds—were delivered to Caples Lake on Wednesday, June 24. The average fish weight was 6 pounds, with some fish weighing up to 15 pounds...(Continued)
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from the North Country Times
El Nino could signal drought's end; But scientists, water officials caution against getting hopes up
By Dave Downey
June 24, 2009 -- Just as residents of San Diego and Riverside counties start adjusting to life with lawn-watering restrictions, there are signs California's drought may be coming to an end next winter...(Continued on-line at the North Country Times)
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Congressmen Costa and Cardoza lure Secretary Salazar to Fresno over disaster claims
The following is a press release from Representatives Costa and Cardoza
June 24, 2009 --WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congressmen Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) announced that Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will arrive in the San Joaquin Valley on Sunday, June 28th, 2009. Salazar will be joined by Deputy Secretary David Hayes and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Mike Connor...(Continued)
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from the Center for Biological Diversity
California Proposes Logging Rules That Would Exterminate Coho Salmon: Inadequate Regulations Proposed in Critical Watersheds as Coho Salmon Spiral Toward Extinction
June 24, 2009 -- Sacramento, Calif.— The California Board of Forestry this week is considering proposed state timber-harvest regulations that would continue harmful logging adjacent to critical salmon streams, prevent recovery of key salmon watersheds, and essentially guarantee extinction of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) from California. The Center for Biological Diversity sent comments to the Board this week regarding the failure of the proposed rules to protect coho and other salmon; the Center warned of the likelihood for illegal take of salmon species listed under the federal and state Endangered Species Acts if the rules are adopted. The Board will hold hearings today and tomorrow in Sacramento on the proposed rules...(Continued)
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Valley Unemployment problem because of a "minnow"? The facts tell otherwise!
by Dr. C. Mark Rockwell, D.C.
Dr. Rockwell is the California State Rep. for the Endangered Species Coalition, and V.P. Conservation, Northern California Council, Federation of Fly Fishers
June 24, 2009 -- Is it really “fish vs. people” as the Governor and Representative Nunes say? To listen to all the rhetoric these days you’d think that people are suffering only because a federal judge and the federal wildlife agencies decided to protect fish. Representative Nunes and our Governor are calling it a regulatory drought and families are suffering as a result. Articles in the L.A. Times and many other papers in
...(Continued)
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from the Ukiah Daily Journal
Return of blue-green algae nothing new at Clear Lake
By Terry Knight
June 24, 2009 -- The recent public health warnings on the blue-green algae blooms in the south end of the lake could impact tourism and even the fishing on Clear Lake. In fact, the county has posted health warnings at several locations in areas where the algae blooms are the worst...(Continued on-line at the Ukiah Daily Journal)
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from the Fresno Bee
Drought disaster declaration may be a tough sell
By Michael Doyle and John Ellis
June 23, 2009 -- If history is any measure, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plea last week for a presidential disaster declaration for water-starved Fresno County faces long odds...(Continued on-line at the Fresno Bee)
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Dan Bacher countering, "The Big Lie"
Schwarzenegger wants even more water for desert agribusiness, ignores out of work commercial fishing families
Environmental groups: "Relief should also be directed to salmon fishermen... whose industry has been shut down for two years as a result the state’s ecosystem collapse."
by Dan Bacher, editor of the FishSniffer
June 23, 2009 -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, after protesters in Fresno the day before accused him of not doing enough to support San Joaquin Valley growers in their battle to export more water from the imperiled California Delta, on June 19 ramped up his campaign to build the peripheral canal and more dams and affirmed his opposition to increased protections for salmon and other fish...(Continued)
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A Merced Sun-Star Editorial
Our View: Lawmakers block water reform: Constituents' growing anger making it harder for politicians to hide
Why more dams are NOT the solution. First, the water collected by new dams would be considered, "additional available water" and be sold as such rather than used to meet present obligations exceeding 8.5 times the average runoff. Second, the flushing flows that wet years afford are desperately needed to recharge the delta with clean water absent of the agricultural, municipal and industrial wastes that are now chronic problems. And finally, changing weathers patterns indicate that our current reservoirs will not fill on an annual basis in the near future negating the need for any additional storage capacity. It's a case of reality vs. political posturing. Ed.
June 23, 2009 --The politicians are scrambling for political cover as California's water crisis gets more serious because of a third year of a drought and environmental restrictions on how much water can flow in the Golden State...(Continued on-line at the Merced Sun-Star)
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from the National Wildlife Federation
ACTION ALERT ON CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION
Call Representative Costa to Support HR 2454
CSPA has "signed on" and supports this legislation
June 23, 2009 -- The American Clean Energy & Security (ACES) Act, H.R. 2454, written by California Representative Henry Waxman is a significant step forward in America’s effort to address the climate crisis. The bill creates a comprehensive energy and climate plan that combines renewable energy production and energy efficiency standards with a limit on the biggest sources of global warming pollution. National Wildlife Federation is asking for your help to reduce our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions through this important legislation...(Continued)
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from the San Francisco Chronicle
Judge refuses to limit fine for bay oil spill
by Bob Egelko
June 23, 2009 -- The company that operated the container ship that struck the Bay Bridge 18 months ago and spilled 53,000 gallons of fuel oil lost a bid Monday to limit its fine to $400,000 on criminal charges of negligently polluting San Francisco Bay and killing seabirds...(Continued on-line at the San Francisco Chronicle)
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***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Delta Community Groups and Legislative Leaders Call for Transparency in Water Policy Negotiations
Hundreds Plan to Rally at the State Capitol to Ensure the Delta has a Voice
July 3, 2009 -- SACRAMENTO – Local legislators will join hundreds of members of environmental organizations, sport fishing groups, farmers and community activists as they hold a rally at the State Capitol on Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 to voice concerns around a package of yet-unreleased water bills...(Continued)
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A CSPA Action Alert, 2 July 2009
Scheme to create Czar to oversee construction and funding of Dams and Peripheral Canal
Public hearings On Critical Water Legislation May Not Take Place: Your presence and help is crucial!!!
July 2, 2009 -- A rally and press conference is scheduled for 11:00 AM on the north steps of the State Capitol to address a legislative bullet aimed at the heart of the fisheries, ecosystem and farming communities of the Delta. This may be one of the last times that your personal presence will make a difference in the effort to save the estuary and its fisheries. We need you to join Senator Lois Wolk, CSPA Executive Director Bill Jennings, Restore the Delta's Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, the FishSniffer's Dan Bacher, fishermen, environmentalists, farmers, boaters, and other Delta legislators to help make an unequivocal statement to our government about the imperative need for open public process to protect and restore fishery, recreational and farming values in the Delta..(Read the complete CSPA Action Alert, 2 July 2009)
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State Board Staff again agrees with CSPA on Lodi Wastewater Permit, Hearing scheduled for 7 July 2009
July 3, 2009 -- In October 2007, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) appealed Lodi's wastewater discharge permit that was issued by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) in September 2007 to the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board)...(Continued)
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Save the Mokelumne River from New Pardee Dam
by Katherine Evatt
July 2, 2009 -- The East Bay Municipal Utility District is proposing to build a new 400-foot dam on the Mokelumne River as part of its 2040 water plan. The dam will be yet another nail in the coffin of the Delta and our crashing salmon and steelhead fisheries. We need to increase freshwater inflow to the lower Mokelumne River for fish and the Delta, not divert more water upstream...(Continued)
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Don't let the legislature pass a $20,000,000,000
bond without public input
Delta Water Bills threaten our fisheries while 20 Billion Dollar Bond will break California taxpayer’s backs
By John Beuttler, CSPA Conservation Director
June 30, 2009 -- The word last week from the State Capitol was that a combined hearing to be held by the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee and the Senate Natural Resources Committee on a host of water bills would take place on July 7, in Room 4202 at 9 a.m. However, now there is talk of the committee meeting on July 9th. Neither date has been finalized, making the date a “moving target,” intentionally making it difficult for the public to plan to attend the hearing...(Continued)
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CSPA's press release on the Salazar
town meeting
Myths, Lies and Damn Lies
Despite drought, Valley agriculture doing far better than rest of economy
Stockton, CA – Sunday, June 28, 2009 -- Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is in Fresno today to attend a meeting and listen to the economic woes of the south Valley. Newspapers and airways are awash with accusations that a three-inch fish has caused a man-made drought in California and that environmentalists and fishermen seek to “starve people in order to save whales.” Congressmen, farmers and water agencies claim that 450,000 or more acres of land have been fallowed and 35-50,000 people have been put out of work: all because of Delta smelt and the Endangered Species Act. But, facts are stubborn things. And the facts tell us that these accusations are lies – bald-face lies...(Continued)
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City of Tracy Continues Fight Against Protecting Fish and Water Quality: CSPA submits comments supporting Regional Board
by Bill Jennings, Executive Director, CSPA
June 27, 2009 -- The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board issued an NPDES permit (wastewater discharge permit) to the City of Tracy for discharges from its municipal treatment plant in 2007. The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) promptly appealed the permit to the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) as non-protective of fish and water quality. The State Board found merit in a number of CSPA's allegations and, on 19 May 2009, remanded the permit back to the Regional Board with explicit directions to eliminate dilution credits, include legally adequate salinity and ammonia effluent limits and add a narrative chronic toxicity limit to the permit (Final Order attached). The decision, as far as it went, was a victory for fisheries and water quality...(Continued)
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Delta Water Bills Threaten our Fisheries: Another call for support at the Capital
by John Beuttler, Conservation Director
June 26, 2009 -- Some key Sacramento politicians are now staging efforts to merge various water bills to pave the way for a Peripheral Canal (they call it “conveyance”) and more dams. But by either name it will mean the end of being able to rebuild and obtain sustainable sportfisheries dependent on the Delta and its tributaries.
Bay-Delta Stamp Legislation Stalls in State Senate
by John Beuttler, CSPA Conservation Director
June 25, 2009 -- Legislation that would significantly amend the Bay-Delta Sportfishing Enhancement Stamp ran into opposition amendments from the staff to the Senate Natural Resources Committee resulting in the bill being laid over until the next meeting of the committee. The bill, AB 1052, authored by Assembly member Caballero addresses the problems that have resulted in only $2 million of the $9 million raised by the stamp being spent to help restore the estuary’s fisheries...(Continued)
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Can the State Water Board Comply with the Law? Evidentiary hearing begins Thursday, 25 June 2009
by Bill Jennings, Executive Director, CSPA
June 24, 2009 -- The State Water Resources Control Board is again attempting to provide the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) a shield to protect the agencies from the law: in this case, DWR/USBR's 31-year failure to comply with salinity standards in the Delta. Compliance with the salinity standards would also benefit fish...(Continued)
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Save July 7th on your calendar
The governor reinvents the shell game, if we lose it will cost us billions
CSPA may need some California "minutemen" to save the state from massive debt and an unwanted canal
by Jerry Neuburger
June 24, 2009 -- The governor and his circle of cronies in the legislature have hatched a new plan to finance the peripheral canal and additional dams as part of his, "final solution" to California's water problems. It is anticipated that one or more of a series of current water bond bills will pushed for passage in both houses of the legislature. The skeleton bill would authorize administrative remedies to deal with California's chronic water shortages but would be designed to lack any details as to how this is to be done including costs...(Continued)
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CSPA supported Ostrach Striped Bass Maternal Transfer Study still seeking funding
by John Beuttler, CSPA Conservation Director
June 22, 2009 -- John Beuttler of CSPA, and Dr. David Ostrach, U.C. Davis, were interviewed this morning by KXJZ - Capitol Public Radio on “Insight” (Sacramento 90.9) Dr. Ostrach was the featured guest and was interviewed regarding the problems he discovered regarding striped bass spawning as part of his delta fisheries research...(Continued)
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The first of a CSPA editorial series on the heels of the defeat of the Nunes attempt to defund the Salmon BiOp
The truth about California's water, fisheries, the delta and desert farming: We have to do a better job spreading the word...
June 22, 2009 -- Anyone watching Congressman Nunes impassioned plea asking for approval of his amendment to remove the funding necessary to implement the NMFS Salmon BiOp would have thought that the entire economy of the San Joaquin Valley and the lives of its people were being thrown aside for a, "three inch minnow" and "killer whales." While his performance made excellent video to be played on local valley TV stations, his claims about minnows and whales being the cause the valley's economic woes are far from the truth. Let's examine the issues one by one...(Continued)
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Tuolumne River Fisheries Fade While FERC Slumbers
by Chris Shutes, FERC Projects Director
June 21, 2009 -- CSPA and several other conservation organizations have filed a follow-up motion with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission seeking immediate flow increases on the lower Tuolumne River. The Motion for Decision also asks FERC to order formal consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service by the operators of New Don Pedro Reservoir...(Continued)
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Hold your Congressman responsible: How the California delegation voted on the Nunes amendment to HR 2847
June 19, 2009 -- On June 11, Congressman Nunes (R) 21st District, introduced amendment #63 to the house appropriation bill, HR 2847, which, among other things, would have provided the funding for the implementation of the recently released National Marine Fisheries Service Salmon BiOp. The BiOp is basically a federal plan to begin the restoration of the Sacramento Valley Salmon stocks in the face of increased water diversions, pollution and other hazards to the fishery...(Continued)
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CSPA and Environmental Law Foundation Sue Regional Water Board Over Tracy Discharge Permit
Permit authorizes massive increase in pollutants discharged to degraded Delta
Stockton, CA – Thursday, June 18, 2009 -- Today, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) and the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) filed a lawsuit against the
Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) for issuing a permit to the City of Tracy allowing increased discharges of polluted wastewater to the seriously degraded Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The Complaint, filed in Sacramento Superior Court, alleges the Regional Board failed to comply with fundamental state and federal antidegradation requirements in issuing the Tracy wastewater discharge permit...(Continued)
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CSPA Asks State Water Board to Reconsider State and Federal Water Project Consolidation
by Bill Jennings, Executive Director, CSPA
17 June 2009 - Today, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) and the California Water Impact Network (C-WIN) jointly filed a Petition for Reconsideration (Petition) with the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) over their recent decision allowing the State Water Project (SWP) and Central Valley Project (CVP) to consolidate their respective places of use. For the first time CVP water can be delivered to SWP service areas and SWP water can be shipped to CVP places of use; placing addition stress on an already over-promised and broken water delivery system. The decision has grave implications for already degraded water quality and fisheries in the Central Valley...(Continued)
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House approves appropriation bill with Nunes amendment to remove funding for Salmon BiOp: Amendment supported by Cardoza and Costa, Opposed by Miller, CSPA and other environmental and fishing organizations
This legislation, if passed, will rip the heart out of the the restoration of salmon stocks as envisioned by the NMFS Salmon BiOp. It speaks to the greed of a few wealthy corporate farmers, who are attempting to steal by legislation, what they have no access to as junior water rights users. They are doing this at the expense of thousands of commercial and recreational anglers and the probable destruction of the world's greatest and largest Chinook Salmon fishery. Not only do they plan to destroy the fishery but the destruction of the delta itself is targeted in their greed. Their plans for ever increasing diversions, and a peripheral canal will kill the delta farms that produce California's food crops in favor of the cotton, hay, and rice grown in the desert and shipped overseas for private profit only possible through subsidies and the destruction of delta farms, fisheries, businesses and recreational opportunities. Ed.....(Continued)
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SB 670, the Suction Dredge Bill, clears the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee
by Jerry Neuburger
June 17, 2009 -- Senator Wiggins bill to temporarily halt suction dredging for gold in California's rivers and streams has passed the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, 11-0. The bill has already cleared the senate, 31-8, and will go before the full assembly for a vote in the near future. If passed, the bill will then go to the governor for signature. A previous bill sponsored by then Assemblywoman Lois Wolk was vetoed by Schwarzenegger but it's anticipated he will sign this bill since it is expected to receive more than a two thirds vote in both houses...(Continued)
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CSPA Files Protest Against Scheme to Divert Additional Water From Mokelumne
by Bill Jennings, Executive Director, CSPA
15 June 2009 - The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) has filed a formal protest with the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) over the application of the North San Joaquin Water Conservation District (District) to appropriate additional water from the Mokelumne River. The District has been using approximately 3,000 acre-feet of water yearly and seeks to divert up to 20,000 acre-feet annually to reduce the present over-draft of groundwater...(Continued)
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CSPA files second petition with Office of Administrative Law, claims Regional Board Policy relating to water hardness to be Underground Regulation in Violation of Law
June 11, 2009 -- CSPA has petitioned California's Office of Administrative Law (OAL) to declare the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board's (Regional Board) policy for addressing water hardness in developing wastewater permits to be an “underground regulation” in violation of law. The hardness of water is fundamentally important in evaluating the potential of metals in waste discharges to waterways to violate water quality standards. It is also crucial in developing specific limits for metals in wastewater permits that are protective of aquatic ecosystems. Metals can be extremely toxic to aquatic life...(Continued)
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CSPA/C-WIN Comment on Proposed Review of Bay-Delta Plan
by Bill Jennings, Executive Director, CSPA
June 11, 2009 -- The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) and California Water Impact Network (C-WIN) submitted joint comments on the State Water Resources Control Board's (State Board) staff report for the Periodic Review of the Water Quality Control Plan for the Bay-Delta (Bay-Delta Plan)...(Continued)
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CSPA Files Additional Protests Over Illegal Water Transfers
June 10, 2009 -- The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) has filed two more protests against proposed water transfers with the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board). These follow the 13 protests CSPA submitted on June 2 and 3. CSPA believes the proposed transfers are illegal, will exacerbate water quality problems and further damage salmonid and pelagic fisheries...(Continued)
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State Water Board Launches Another Assault on Delta Fisheries and Water Quality
by Bill Jennings, Executive Director, CSPA
June 9, 2009 -- The State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) is yet again discarding long-existing regulations protecting water quality (and fisheries) in order to protect the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the United States Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) from their continuing violations of the Public Trust and Bay-Delta water quality standards. This despicable charade is another poster-child of why the Schwarzenegger administration's “assurances,” “guarantees,” “promises,” and even “regulations” aren't worth a warm bucket of spit. CSPA is prepared to go to the mat in opposing this blatant effort to immunize DWR and the Bureau from the law...(Continued)
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CSPA's Suisun Creek Steelhead Restoration Program Update
by John Beuttler, Conservation Director
June 9, 2009 -- Suisun Creek lies in Napa and Solano counties and has a remnant steelhead run that migrates through Suisun Marsh near Fairfield into the Suisun Valley watershed. Given the importance of this run, CSPA has been working closely with local landowners, state agencies and the City of Vallejo to restore the habitat needed to recover the steelhead while this is still possible. Steelhead are listed under both the state and federal Endangered Species Acts...(Continued)
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CSPA finds proposed City of Sunnyvale wastewater permit deficient
June 8, 2009 -- CSPA has filed comments on the proposed wastewater treatment process permit for the City of Sunnyvale, Santa Clara County. CSPA finds the permit either deficient or lacking in the areas of effluent limitation for coliform organisms, proper limitations for turbidity, effective limitations on chlorine, limitations on chronic toxicity, limitations on ammonia and other toxic substances. CSPA is asking for review and correction of these deficiencies before the permit is issued.
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CSPA Comments on Ag Discharge Program - Permits Essential to Protect Fisheries
by Bill Jennings, Executive Director, CSPA
June 8, 2009 -- On 5 June 09, CSPA submitted comments to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board concerning the initial draft proposals for the long-term irrigated lands regulatory program alternatives. CSPA believes individual and/or general waste discharge permits are essential for any meaningful program regulating discharges of pollutants from irrigated agriculture. ..(Continued)
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CSPA Opposes New Subsidizes for Environmentally Damaging Hydropower Projects
by Bill Jennings, Executive Director, CSPA
June 8, 2009 -- CSPA joined a coalition of hydropower reform advocates in sending a 3 June 2009 letter to Jeff Bingaman, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, opposing Senator Lisa Murkowski's (R-Alaska) efforts to extend Renewable Energy Credits to an array of environmentally damaging hydropower projects. ..(Continued)
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Letters to the Editor
Have something you'd like to get off your chest? How about a question about California's fisheries? Write the Webmaster All submissions considered for publication.
More on "Myths, Lies and Damn Lies"
June 30, 2009 - Great report! Facts are a funny thing; sometimes they don’t match opinion or perception. It is a shame more people don’t use them to develop their opinions and perceptions.
Ralph
A call to action on Salazar's visit
June 30, 2009 -- Since Secretary Salazar appointed appointed Deputy Secretary David Hayes as the lead official for coordinating the federal response to California water supply and related environmental issues with the state and stakeholders, we should all write letters giving our (actually the fish's) input on what the San Joaquin agroindustry is trying to do to the ecology of the Delta and Central Valley. Let's all get our clubs in on the campaign as well.
Here's the contact info:
David Hayes, Deputy Secretary
Department of Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington DC 20240
202-208-6291
Dougald Scott, Director, NCCFFF
On the "Myths, Lies and Damn Lies" press release
June 28-This was an excellent Press Release! I sure wish I could have shown up in the front row in Fresno today. You guys are doing such effective work, and have the guts and smarts to get it done! II admire your leadership in speaking up as well as your persistence in tirelessly explaining the Truth. Bravo!
Cindy
On the weekly newsletter
June 26 -- You guys rock! I've come to love my weekly newsletter. Keep up the good work and give 'em hell... John
More letters
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