SPECIAL REPORT

California Water Debate Rages On

Water, agricultural and business organizations have all warned California’s  Delta Stewardship Council that it appears to be overstepping its authority. Meanwhile, state and federal agencies say they plan to provide a briefing soon on the status of another effort to address complex problems that confront the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the Bay Delta Conservation Plan.

In a letter to the Delta Stewardship Council, the state’s leading water agencies, along with agricultural and business groups including the California Farm Bureau Federation, say the council’s most recent draft plan takes an “overly expansive view” of its authority.

The council was created by the state legislature in 2009 to develop “a sustainable management plan” for the delta.

Groups Voice Concern

In their letter, the water, farm and business organizations voiced “grave concern” about the direction the council is headed with its latest draft plan. The groups say the council’s mandate does not authorize it to regulate water-related activities outside the delta.

“As we stated in the letter, we recognize there may be actions that need to be taken outside the delta to meet the goals established by the Legislature,” says Danny Merkley, CFBF water resources director.

“The council’s overreaching regulatory approach goes well beyond its intended authority.”

The council will complete four drafts of its plan for a final coordinating framework for the delta before presenting it for public review and comment in June.

The California Farm Bureau Federation provided information for this article.