On 1 November 2013, CSPA and a coalition of nine other organizations submitted comments to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation regarding the proposed interim renewal contracts for water delivery from the Central Valley Protect to Westlands Water District (incl. Widren, Centinella, Broadview Mercy Springs), City of Tracy (incl. West Side & Banta-Carbona) and Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (incl. Santa Clara Valley Water District & Westlands District No. 1). The two-year interim contracts bridge the gap between the original 25-year contracts and adoption of future long-term 25-year contracts.
The letter characterizes the proposed interim renewal contracts as a threat to fisheries, water quality and California’s environment and violate numerous laws, including: the Administrative Procedure Act, Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Reclamation Reform Act, National Environmental Policy Act, federal Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, California Environmental Quality Act and the California Endangered Species Act and salmon doubling requirements. The coalition asks the Bureau to withdraw all of the proposed renewal contracts and reinitiate negotiations after adequate environmental review and consultation have been completed.