Why is the Delta in Trouble?
The California Delta is under imminent threat. Urban growth, discharge into the Delta by upstream pollution sources, pollution from
within the Delta, aging levees, the likely occurrence of an earthquake, and global warming have or will have a negative impact on
the environmental health and economic sustainability of the region - especially if these factors are left unmanaged.
However, the greatest threat presently to the California Delta is the mismanagement of water exports. Since 2000, water exports to Central and Southern California have reached record high levels, doubling in the winter months under the current practices of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Federal Bureau of Reclamation.
This increased pumping has made less quality water available for urban and agricultural use within the Delta region and has contributed to the near extinction of several fish species fish, like the Delta smelt. Increased water pumping disturbs and destroys supporting habitat and food sources for the Delta smelt and other pelagic fish species (fish that live in open water). Increased pumping also contributes to increased salinity; water with greater salinity levels strengthens the establishment of invasive species, like clams, which in turn disrupt the food web for native fish. Nonetheless, state and federal agencies actually plan to increase water pumping by 27% through the misnamed "South Delta Improvement Project."
Excessive water exports are pushing the Delta to the verge of an ecological collapse that could have a permanent and negative impact on agricultural yields, the Delta boating and fishing industry, and drinking water quality for residents within the Delta. For instance, fewer fish will lead to fewer fishermen taking to the water. Increased salinity in irrigation water for Delta farmers will lessen the yield of a number of crops grown within the Delta. And continued depletion of fresh water that could serve the household needs of a growing Delta population will result in reduced water quality, forcing the need for additional treatment of drinking water locally. Thus, excessive water exports are not only harmful to the California Delta's ecosystem, but also could have a negative impact on Delta commerce and the public health of Delta water drinkers.
In addition, several statewide efforts, led by the Department of Water Resources and the State Resources Agency, are underway that could determine the fate of the California Delta. Specifically, the Delta Vision Process and the Bay Delta Conservation Plan are extremely important. To date, equal regard is not being given to Delta stakeholders in these decision making processes as is being given to water contractors who are seeking on-going assurances for water exports. Restore the Delta believes that Delta stakeholders deserve an equal say in decisions regarding the management of water exports, the protection of species and habitat, and that which is needed to revitalize and sustain the California Delta environment and economy for future generations.
