Restore the Delta, local and statewide environmental groups have voiced their strong concern regarding a package of water bills released by the Legislature. This legislative package, if enacted, would result in a massive and costly restructuring of California's water laws and water infrastructure - covering several contentious water issues including governance of the Bay-Delta region, water conservation, and an updated version of the multi-billion dollar Peripheral Canal, which was overwhelmingly rejected by California voters in 1982.

"While we are pleased to finally see some of the language, we remain strongly concerned about the process, the transparency, the costs and abdication of oversight contained in these proposals," said Jonas Minton, Water Policy Advisor for the Planning and Conservation League (PCL). "To be clear, we strongly support the need to address our state's critical water needs and hope to see issues addressed, including, but not limited to the governance of the San Francisco Bay-Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta, water conservation, flood management and groundwater recharge, reclamation and reuse.

"However, the Schwarzenegger plan to build a 50 mile- long canal will not generate any new water, abdicates any meaningful oversight, cedes absolute authority to faceless bureaucrats and will cost over $10 billion, even more once you add mitigation and restoration costs. The language in this legislation does nothing to change those facts," added Minton.

Representatives from the Sierra Club California, Restore the Delta, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, Friends of the River and the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water joined PCL in expressing concern over the fact that the Legislature developed these bills (SB229 - Pavley; SB12 - Simitian; AB39 - Huffman; and SB458 - Wolk) with no public input and their worry that the bills will be rushed through in the last three weeks of the legislative session.

"There is no question that the Delta is in crisis and we must find a way to work together to save the Delta and the San Francisco Bay," Minton noted. "But there has to be a better way than jamming this down the public's throat and asking them to pay billions for a project they haven't had any say in at a time when the state has been issuing IOU's, cutting back on schools, and shutting down parks."

"We want a more comprehensive approach to address our state's water needs," said Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, campaign director for Restore the Delta. "We want an approach that safeguards the Bay, the Delta, the environment and the people who live and work in the area. We want real solutions that include cost effective and environmentally sound programs and projects that will capture, recycle, and treat water . We want long-term Delta management that is based on a firm understanding of Delta freshwater needs.

"The current process doesn't make sense," Barrigan- Parrilla added. "This legislation is not enough and there is no need to rush into the Governor's New PeripheralCanal."

To read all the bills in their entirety, click here.

The drafts of these bills will be discussed at the joint informational hearing of the Assembly Water, Parks & Wildlife and Senate Natural Resources & Water Committees on August 18, 2009. At this point in time, we do not know what type of or if any public input or testimony will be part of this hearing. Restore the Delta will be sending out daily legislative updates as we learn more.

Restore the Delta will be holding a community meeting on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan and the Governor's plans for construction of the peripheral canal on August 11, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. This meeting is only open to Restore the Delta supporters and community friends. It will be held at the Best Western in Lathrop. The Best Western is at I-5 and Old Harlan Road.

The Sportsmen Yacht Club of Antioch, along with numerous other fishermen, boaters, and Delta recreation enthusiasts have been working long hours to organize, The Million Boat Float -- a massive flotilla that will move up the Sacramento River to the Capitol.

The flotilla will begin on August 16, 2009 and will culminate with a rally at the Capitol on August 17, 2009. Their plan is to let the Governor and the legislature know what the Delta means to the Delta's recreation community --and to all the people of the Delta.

To learn more about event activities and how you can participate click here.

Rumor has it that a protest is scheduled to take place outside Congressman George Miller's Concord Office on August 13, 2009 at 10 a.m. The protest group self- identifies as Water for All. On their website, they identify Congressman Miller as an economy killer.

Restore the Delta is calling on its Contra Costa supporters, and supporters in general, to show their appreciation for Congressman Miller at this August 13, 2009 event.

We believe that the best way to counter such targeted misinformation at this protest is to let our neighbors in other parts of the state know that destroying the Delta to revitalize their local economy is not a sustainable policy for any community in California. We would rather work with all Californians to help each region develope regional self-sufficient water supplies.

After all, increased Delta pumping and new Delta conveyance will not make more water for anyone in California, will not solve anyone's economic suffering, and instead will destroy our historic fisheries and Delta farming communities.

Restore the Delta is a charitable 501(c)3 organization. Donations are tax deductible.

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