California Cornerstone: 2013-04-21

Friday, April 26, 2013

April 26, 2013 Delta Water and News Links

Thursday, April 25, 2013

The Fox are Guarding the Henhouse - Save the California Delta Alliance

http://nodeltagates.com/2013/04/07/the-fox-are-guarding-the-henhouse/

(The Blog has comments as well.)

Adaptive Management – Sounds like a Good Approach on the Surface

The BDCP claims that they won’t harm Delta waterways because of a new adaptive management approach to water operations. Several management teams will oversee tunnel operations. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will also have seats on the management committees. An Adaptive Management Team will monitor conditions in the Delta and make recommendations for changes in water operations based on any ill effects that might crop up.

Will it work?

No – because no matter what harm the tunnels might cause, it will be virtually impossible to curtail water exports once the tunnels start operation. Because the main backers of the tunnels, the water contractors who will receive water deliveries from the tunnel and sell the water to their urban and agricultural customers, have seats on key committees and can veto decisions they don’t like escalating the decision all the way to either the Governor of California (for the State pump decisions) or the U.S. Secretary of the Interior who reports directly to the President (for Federal pump decisions).

No – That Won’t Work

“What that means,” said Michael Brodsky, Save the California Delta Alliance General Counsel, is that if the top official at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes a decision about protecting Salmon that the water contractors don’t like, they can cause the decision to be appealed up and up and up the ladder all the way to the Secretary of the Interior. That will take years at best.”
“In the mean time, the fish suffer.”
For more information, see the April 3, 2012 STCDA Press Release.

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Posted in Peripheral Canal/Tunnels

Water Contractors Wrest Control of Delta Tunnels from the DWR - Burt Wilson

Water contractors wrest control of Delta tunnels from the DWR

By Burt Wilson

bwilson5404@sbcglobal.net

4-25-2013

When the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) crashed and burned the first time, Gov. Brown brought his good friend Dr. Jerry Meral on board to straighten out the mess. Before Meral, the BDCP Board of Directors was made up of mostly water agency people--the MWD chairman, Corporate CEOs and hangers-on. Thus from the git-go this had all the earmarks of a private, not a public works, project. Meral, in his first showy move towards legitimacy, revised the board, got rid of many of the water people and replaced them with benign bodies--strictly cosmetic changes.

Meral's second action was to declare transparency as the order of the day. Every bit of BDCP action would be open to public scrutiny. But not three months after this charade, Meral was caught in flagrante delicto in secret meetings with water contractors, imploring them to fund the Delta tunnels and provide what is called a "revenue stream" for the DWR to build the twin cement monsters.

Meral did this for Gov. Jerry Brown to keep the Delta tunnel construction from having to rely on general obligation bonds which would require they be voted on by the public. Jerry Brown did not want to repeat 1982 when the Peripheral Canal campaign lost by a 2/3 vote of the people, hence the move towards private funding.

Recently, as reported half-way in the Sacramento Bee, Meral was caught in flagrante delicto again, holding private conferences with members of key water agencies. These agencies--Westlands Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Kern County Water Agency, San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority and the State Water Project Contractors Authority have come together as one agency--the State and Federal Water Contractors Agency (SFWCA). This new association effectively created the principle authorized funding agency for the tunnels and also signaled to anyone who could see it that they were attempting to bring both the fed's Central Valley Project (CVP) and the State Water Project (SWP) under their control.

As you can well imagine, this band of brothers thinks that if they are going to foot the bill for the revenue stream that will allow the DWR to build the twin tunnels, they should have some say in the design and construction of said tunnels. The DWR, the biggest of a whole host of bloated state agencies, is used to having its own way with water in California and wants to see all design and construction under its control. Three years ago it dropped a mild bomb by announcing that it would hire 5,336 new employees when the permit to build was granted. This would give it more water-grabbing leverage than even Mr. Mullholland had!

And so this mini-drama between the DWR and the SFWCA is playing out now as the BDCP limps and staggers toward its questionable denouement.

The Bee quoted DWR Director Bruce Cowin as saying, "The (water) contractors are very concerned, and so are we, that we build this with world-class-type management. They are naturally concerned, as stakeholders, that if they are going to step up and pay these costs, that they have a significant voice." It's expected that Cowin would put a smiley-face on such a significant division of interests. That's what big-time operators do when they know they've lost leverage in a big fight. The upshot is that the DWR and the SFWCA have drawn up a "joint powers" agreement with the DWR Director as chairman of this new entity, but having no power at all since all decisions will be made by majority vote. And guess who's in the majority.

This was bound to happen because the SFWCA is not out to finance the twin tunnels out of the goodness of their hearts. They want a return on their investment and that means control of how much water can be diverted and at what times and who it can be sold to, i.e, everything directed towards maximizing profit for the water contractors.

Much is at stake. With the water contractors now able to sell water at any price to the oil companies for fracking purposes, upping the ante for agriculture by increasing the cost per acre foot and increasing local water rates ("the beneficiaries pay"-Delta Stewardship Council), we will see our food, natural gas and oil prices rise in concert with the rise in profits of the water contractors. So don't be surprised if sometime soon you find the water contractors standing out in the street yelling the state motto.

"Eureka! I have found it!"

I was on the media staff of the "No on 9" campaign against the peripheral canal in 1982. We won by a 2/3 vote statewide and stopped the canal. Voters knew then that it was just another watergrab just as poeple know that today's move to construct Delta tunnels is just another watergrab. You know it too.

Sincerely,

Burt Wilson
Editor and Publisher.
Public Water News Service

Read about Burt Wilson Burt's Wikipedia page

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

April 23, 2013 Delta Water and News Links

The mission of the Maddy Institute, according to its website (www.Maddyinstitute.org) is to inspire citizen participation, elevate government performance, provide non-partisan analysis and assist in providing solutions for public policy issues important to the region, state and nation.

and this:

Several individuals prominent in the food industry are on the Maddy Institute Board of Directors, including Westlands rancher/grower John Harris of Harris Farms, Melissa Poole of Paramount Farms (owned by Beverly Hills billionaire Stewart Resnick), Jim Coleman of E & J Gallo, as well as Rep. JIm Costa and former Republican assemblyman Mike Villines.

Non-partisan analysis my backside....

Litigation News

Tribal News

Calendar
Joint Committee Hearing on BDCP Set for April 30th
http://www.acwa.com/news/state-legislation/joint-legislative-committee-hearing-bdcp-set-april-30

Because It's Cool!

April 22, 2013 Delta Water and News Links

Delta Related and Water News
A Greater Role for Delta Counties?
Alex Breitler's Blog
http://blogs.esanjoaquin.com/san-joaquin-river-delta/2013/04/17/a-greater-role-for-delta-counties/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+san-joaquin-river-delta+%28Alex+Breitler%27s+San+Joaquin+Delta%2C+Delta+College+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
Letter to Meral
http://blogs.esanjoaquin.com/san-joaquin-river-delta/files/2013/04/DeltaCoalitionBDCPparticipation.pdf

Brown Administration Official Claims 'Delta Can't Be Saved'
Dan Bacher
http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/site/brown-administration-official-claims-delta-cant-be-saved

The Story of Water Rights, Told in Dots
http://blogs.esanjoaquin.com/san-joaquin-river-delta/2013/04/16/the-story-of-water-rights-told-in-dots/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+san-joaquin-river-delta+%28Alex+Breitler%27s+San+Joaquin+Delta%2C+Delta+College+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Tom Stokely in Trinity Journal: Twin Tunnels Proposal Called a 'Farce'
http://www.c-win.org/content/tom-stokely-trinity-journal-twin-tunnels-proposal-called-%E2%80%98-farce%E2%80%99.html

Carolee Krieger: California's Delta Water Drain Scheme is Like 'Chinatown' All Over Again
http://www.c-win.org/content/carolee-krieger.html

Tunnel Visions
Chico News & Review
http://www.newsreview.com/chico/tunnel-visions/content?oid=9619278

Wishful Thinking
Chico News & Review
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130418/A_OPINION01/304180314/-1/A_OPINION

What Should We Assume About New Technology in California Water Policy
Dr. Jeffrey Michael
http://valleyecon.blogspot.com/2013/04/what-should-we-assume-about-new.html

Delta Related Private/Public Propaganda News
Delta Stewardship Council
Delta Plan Nears Completion
http://deltacouncil.ca.gov/enewsletter/stories/april-2013/delta-plan-nears-completion-council-approves-final-direction-comprehe

Delta Stewardship Council
Science News
http://archive.deltacouncil.ca.gov/delta_science_program/publications/sci_news_0413.html

Aquafornia.com
Weekend Wrap-Up
http://www.aquafornia.com/index.php/2013/04/22/weekend-wrap-up-earth-day/

Science Subprogram Shares New Materials About Strategy
http://www.packard.org/2013/04/science-subprogram-shares-new-materials-about-strategy/

Agenda 21/Sustainable Development
Connecting the Dots From the United Nations to Your State Government
http://americanpolicy.org/2013/04/15/connecting-the-dots-from-the-united-nations-to-your-state-government/

2nd Amendment News
Gun Loss Shouldn't Deter Obama Charm Offensive
RollCall.com
http://www.rollcall.com/news/gun_loss_shouldnt_deter_obama_charm_offensive_republicans_say-224181-1.html?ET=rollcall:e15519:33852a:&st=email&pos=eam
(Last time I saw a face like that, it was 2 years old who threw herself on the floor kicking and screaming. Much like that toddler, I'd love to pull up a chair and enjoy the show!!!
However, just like that two year old...when it comes to the 2nd Amendment, responsible law-abiding Americans said 'No' and we mean 'No'; my question then becomes: What do you not understand, the N or the O? Geez.)

Agriculture/Science News
"The Dark Side of Open Access"
The Water Librarian
http://waterlibrarian.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/the-dark-side-of-open-access-openaccess-fakejournals/

Levee/Infrastructure News

Fisheries/Wildlife/Habitat News

Environmental News
CEQA Roundup: Rifts Among Dems Start to Show
http://www.caeconomy.org/reporting/entry/ceqa-roundup-rifts-among-dems-start-to-show

Economic/Tourism News
Is Westlands Exagerating Drought Impacts Again?
Dr. Jeffrey Michael
http://valleyecon.blogspot.com/2013/04/is-westlands-exagerrating-drought.html
(Interesting couple of comments.)

High Speed Rail/BDCP Conveyance News
Winning Bid to Start High-Speed Rail Far Below Estimates
http://californiawatch.org/dailyreport/winning-bid-start-high-speed-rail-far-below-estimates-18861

Bullet Train Bidder Has History of Cost Overruns
http://californiawatch.org/dailyreport/winning-bid-start-high-speed-rail-far-below-estimates-18861

National Political News
The Senate Gun Control Vote Reveals Our Lizard Overlords
Testosterone Pit
http://scholarsandrogues.com/2013/04/20/the-senate-gun-control-vote-reveals-our-lizard-overlords/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+scrogues+%28Scholars+and+Rogues%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

We’re cooked, America. We’ve put people with the temperament of used care salesmen into power and allowed them to believe that what’s best for them personally is best for the nation. So while it sounds funny that something like 4% of Americans believe the country is run by lizard people, the fact of the matter is that the country is run by people who only use their lizard brain.

The Key Word in Opposing a Con Con
http://americanpolicy.org/2013/04/02/the-key-word-in-opposing-a-con-con/

California Political News
Steinberg Pondering Run for Sacramento DA
http://www.calwatchdog.com/2013/04/22/steinberg-pondering-run-for-sacto-da/
(Hmmm...I wonder how that works? I don't trust this guy, his ethics are questionable at best. Maybe a little more of the fox guarding the hen house?)

Litigation News

Tribal News

Calendar
Delta Stewardship Council
April 25, 2013
http://deltacouncil.ca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/Meeting%20notice%20April%2025_2013.pdf

Written Comment Opportunities

Because It's Cool!
Return of Nimrod, American Matrix and the Babylonian Stargate
http://www.newswithviews.com/McGuire/paul169.htm
(Interesting read.)

Monday, April 22, 2013

January 10-14, 2013 Delta Water and News Links

This blog has been designed to easily scan/scroll down the page, enabling ing you to click on links that are of interest to you, while providing awareness of headlines and websites typically involved in the Delta, water and related issues.

The most important/relevant links are placed at the top of each category and then prioritized down from there.

Thank you for visiting California Cornerstone Blog!

Delta/California/Water News
What If Fracking Were Actually Safe?
Public Water News Service
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=jsitf5iab&v=0016-lMRck6nqFd-Wr2V0hpNcqfr4vna2Bm3nUgvkDIorGP4vSp-Kr0RdaunumJnqUt355p4DNFBDeOGvnBfwvSa_nMkWV7WIxbV9sH-IG971V8EnoHZS5elw%3D%3D

Article of Interest From Restore the Delta
Governor's Delta Plan a Big Mistake
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=xp76ilcab&v=001o5JO1J1ZcgtiYD7ekpprqqQXFuVWivtvTww27WIWYBGTWyKR_mqKNJENaVefvuvsStBwUoxg5CgRRntRep2gf-ajcnRm0duUdI6Q4bRcXSp797LRRsNiXg%3D%3D

"Over Troubled Waters" Selected as Finalist in 11th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival
Restore the Delta
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=xp76ilcab&v=0016-lMRck6nqFd-Wr2V0hpNVpfnYOY1Opx6hvkAYplIQZEfe0LecXicHelMAPbC9F9GqpIaWADTzp3PgIhp5hWcCH0mSlY03bwnQT8QZXrltwDITugPyzl8Q%3D%3D
11th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival
January 10-13, 2013
http://sacramento.downtowngrid.com/events/index.php?events_id=9592&tk=4f56398a342bed1968fc&event_on=01%2F12%2F2013

DWR's Delta eNews
http://www.water.ca.gov/deltainit/docs/Delta_eNews011013.pdf

LAO Primer on Property Taxes in California
PrivateWaterLaw Blog
http://privatewaterlaw.com/2013/01/11/lao-primer-on-property-taxes-in-california/

U.S. Constitution News/Agenda 21News

Two Videos of Contentious Danville Planning Meeting
CitizensTownHall.org

The Second Amendment
NewsWithViews.com
http://www.newswithviews.com/Emord/jonathan281.htm

It's Your Constitution Obama is Shredding
NewsWithViews.com
http://www.newswithviews.com/JBWilliams/williams232.htm

This is What I Want to Hear Obama Say About Guns
NoMoreFakeNews.com
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=4tixiugab&v=001o5JO1J1ZcgtiYD7ekpprqiJV4ZMRuQ02RysnFNnk8N2CMxhx1cHJp2buN8774NbP8fa4bDdiC92B0Vr5Etl5AWQSoZ_x2G4QjT9qbOQ6ZduoQzOhX3gh4A%3D%3D

Agriculture/Science News
5 Steps for Avoiding and Detoxing Bt Toxin Found in GMO Crops
NaturalSociety.com
http://naturalsociety.com/5-steps-avoiding-detoxing-bt-toxin-found-gmo-crops/

Levee/Infrastructure News

Fisheries/Wildlife/Habitat News

Environmental News

Economic/Tourism News

High Speed Rail/BDCP Conveyance News

National Political News

California Political News

Litigation/Tribal News

Calendar

Written Comment Opportunities

Because It's Cool!