A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
December 19, 2007
3. Watersheds
Solano stays with flow on delta issues
By Danny Bernardini, staff writer
For the last couple months,
The Solano County Board of Supervisors has discussed the plan at length during meetings, has hired consultants to attend water rights meetings and has written letters stating its wishes about the document that will shape long-term sustainability of the delta.
Now, just a couple days after the release of the plan by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force, the county is being urged to remain committed and involved in all issues surrounding the delta.
Linda Fiack, executive director of the Delta Protection Commission, has been communicating with county officials as they familiarize themselves with the Delta Vision Plan issues. Her advice to the board is that even though the plan has been released, they shouldn't let up on their commitment. She said the Delta Protection Commission still will be there as a liaison.
"It was really good to see Solano acknowledge that the delta is important to them and they should be involved. It's better late than never. My message to them is to stay involved," Fiack said. "It's not only about the Delta Vision Plan.
The county needs to continue to be involved in delta and water conservation plans."
Fiack said many points in the plan involve
Possibly the biggest issue with folks in
"They directed staff to analyze both isolated and dual facilities," Fiack said. "A lot of folks were waiting for that recommendation (in favor of the canal), but it wasn't included."
Supervisor Barbara Kondylis is one of those people who were keeping an eye on the peripheral canal rumors. She said she is relieved the plan doesn't directly call for a system to bypass the delta while shuttling water to
"I got the impression they were backing off of an ultimatum about separating the two water sources," Kondylis said.
"That may be their ultimate goal, but it seems like they are going to approach it more subtly."
Kondylis said she hadn't had a chance to read the plan completely, but she agreed with Fiack and said all environmental issues should be kept in the forefront. She referred specifically to the desalinization of ocean water as one issue upon which she would like to remain current.
"You probably need three or four people to attend all the (water) meetings going on in
Supervisor Mike Reagan said that although he hadn't read the report, it was likely very similar to the last draft, which the board discussed at a November meeting. He, too, is in favor of staying the course and continuing to be involved.
"I know it's out there, but I don't anticipate it is all that different than before," Reagan said. "We have to be part of all of these discussions. We have to follow what it is they are recommending and try to mitigate."
Reagan, who is reported to be the most versed in water issues on the board, said he is happy the board made a concentrated effort to get involved, but an earlier effort may have been more successful.
"The train has left the station," Reagan said. "We're on the record, we've identified everything we can think of. We didn't have sufficient input into the process up front; now it's working the mitigation."
He said some of the most important factors in the plan have to do with the economic benefits from the delta and the levees within the waterway.
"There are a whole series of impacts we're going to have to study," Reagan said. #
http://thereporter.com/news/ci_7759483
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