The Delta is an “ecosystem in crisis,” with state and federal water policies doing great harm to chinook salmon and steelhead populations, seven environmental groups and a Native American tribe allege in a letter to the State Water Resources Control Board.
Two of the state’s top water delivery systems, the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project, are “exacerbating conditions for endangered species at high risk of extinction in the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary” that violate maximum fish take rates under the Endangered Species Act, the May 16 letter states.
The groups and tribe allege that the State Water Project exceeded the annual loss limit for hatchery winter-run chinook salmon. And they blame the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for water releases that are killing more salmon and steelhead than their permits allow.
Though they are not mentioned in the letter, San Joaquin County’s waterways are also home to the endangered Delta smelt.
“The state water board is neglecting its duty to ensure that there’s adequate fresh water flowing into San Francisco Bay–Delta so the estuary and its wildlife can thrive,” Eric Buescher, the managing attorney for San Francisco Baykeepers, said in a news release commenting on the letter. The “Bureau of Reclamation has demonstrated that it’s an unreliable partner, and its conduct will harm the ecosystem and burden other water users.”
Besides the Baykeepers, other environmental groups who signed the letter include the Golden State Salmon Association, Restore the Delta, the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the River and the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance. They were joined by the Winnemem Wintu Tribe in Northern California.
The groups blame “voluntary agreements” put in place under Gov. Gavin Newsom for allowing water releases that damage the fish population. They say the agreements are not being followed.
When reached for comment, the Bureau of Reclamation, however, said it follows the rules.
“Reclamation, in coordination with the federal and state fishery agencies, continues to operate the Central Valley Project to maximize water supply and hydropower in full compliance with the various agreements,” the agency said in a statement.
The State Water Board said it had received the letter and was “reviewing the issues raised by its authors.” The agency indicated it’s open to making changes in the way that Delta water releases are handled.
The group said it is “currently in the process of updating its Bay Delta Plan, which includes rigorous opportunity for public input as it evaluates options.”