Save the California Delta Alliance (STCDA)

This page tracks current activities regarding the Peripheral Canal, various Delta Gates projects, and related efforts which will negatively impact the Delta (last updated 12/5/2011).

Upcoming Events

• TBD, 2012 – Discovery Bay Town Hall

Current Government Activities

• Nunes Bill HR 1837 passed by US House to federalize California’s water (the only state tto have the feds take over water matters), give preferred water rights to the farmers which are now at the bottom of the priority list and have only rights to “excess” delta water (the big Corporate farmers including Stewart Resnick’s Paramount Farms in the Westlands water district). The Bill would also insure immense quantities of water for these farmers for 40 years (regardless of drought or availability of water) over all other users (including Delta family farmers and urban users in L.A.)
• BDCP makes Amendment to put the Water Contracts in charge of the BDCP environmental review process (talk about letting the foxes into the henhouse !)
• Fish and Game being pushed by Water Contractors to sign a resolution to restrict striped bass in the Delta
• 2-Gates (Old River/Connection Slough) scientific study reports indicate new push to implement gates in spring 2012
• Proposal submitted to put one or two gates near Franks Tract in False River and/or 3-Mile Slough to reduce salinity in spring 2012. (NOTE: That means they plan to turn the pumps back on over-time and pump so much fresh water out that salt water will intrude all the way up the river to Franks Tract !)

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History of Events

March 2012

February 2012
• Feb. 29, 2012 – The US House of Representative approves the Nunes Bill HR 1837 which would give senior water rights to the now junior farmers (like the big Corporate farmers including Stewart Resnick’s Paramont Farms in the Westlands water district) over Delta and other California family farmers. The Bill would also insure immense quantities of water for these farmers for 40 years (regardless of drought or availability of water) over all other users (including urban users in L.A.)


November 2011

• Nov. 16, 2011 – Comments due on the BDCP Amendment that puts Water Contractors in the drivers seat for the Environmental Review process for the Peripheral Canal. STCDA Legal Council submits formal comments – Click Here
• Nov. 7, 2011 – STCDA Legal Council requests seat on the BDCP Steering Committee representing Local Delta Interests
• Nov. 1, 2011 – STCDA receives information that they will be going ahead with either Franks Tract gates or 2-Gates or both in the near future.


October 2011

• STCDA learns that the pre-Old River/Connection Slough Gates project on Franks Tract is being moved forward


March 2011

• Mar. 22, 2011 – STCDA Board for 2011/2012
  – Karen Mann President
  – Mike Guzzardo Media Relations
  – Peter Hills Treasurer


August 2010

• Aug. 30, 2010 – final version of AJR-38 2 Gates Bill “Enrolled”.
• Aug. 27, 2010 – The Delta Stewardship Council adopts an Interim Plan that is the first of two primary documents required by statute to guide state and local agency planning and management efforts in the Delta.
• Aug. 18, 2010 – The CA Senate approves AJR-38 with only one opposing Nay vote from Sen. Mark DeSaulnier
• Aug. 10, 2010 – The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water (including Sen. Lois Wolk) voted unanimously to pass AJR-38, the bill to study and implement the 2-Gates project.
• Aug. 9, 2010 – The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water analyses AJR-38 and identifies the Delta Communities’ grave concerns about 2-Gates in the resolution analysis.
• Aug. 9, 2010 – The legislature voted yes on AB-1265 to take the Water Bond off the ballot in November and postpone it until 2012 due to realization it would not pass in November. Citizens were calling for a re-write of the bond and not a delay.


July 2010

• July 20, 2010 – State Water Resources Control Board California Environmental Protection Agency issued a draft Development of Flow Criteria for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Ecosystem report.
• July 15, 2010 – Delta Council releases 2nd Draft Plan. Comments due Aug. 3.


June 2010

• June 3, 2010 – AB 2049 which would have helped stop farmers from profiteering from resale of water and would have helped protect the ground water and aquifers in the Central Valley currently being depleted failed the Assembly.


May 2010

• May 24, 2010 – Unfortunately, AJR 38 passed by the Assembly and is on to the Senate. Will go to the Senate Committee first for review. Concerned citizens should voice their issues with the Two Gates project to their representatives.
• May 11, 2010 – the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife got together for a second “Oversight Hearing: Delta Stewardship Council and Bay Delta Conservation Plan Progress and Update.” (The first oversight hearing was in early March.) AJR 38 was amended to remove sections referring to water rights and allocations. Mary Piepho, Contra Costa County Supervisor, spoke in opposition. AJR 38 was adopted as ammended.
• May 5, 2010 – The updated website for the South Delta Improvement Project Temporary Barriers Project changed it’s wording from “Permanent gates are planned for construction beginning 2010″ to an unspecified timeframe but still states that “The permanent gates are a major component of the South Delta Improvements Program (SDIP) which is currently in the planning, design, and environmental documentation development processes”.
• May 5, 2010 – Assembly Bill 2336: Assemblymember Fuller introduced AB 2336 (April 11, 2010) to terminate the management and protection of the public’s striped bass fishery that inhabits the Bay-Delta estuary. The bill was amended (April 15) to instead send the issues of estuary’s fishery declines to be reviewed by Delta Stewardship’s Council “Independent Science Board”. The “Rationale” given for this Bill was interesting in that it excludes impacts of the pumps: “to reduce or eliminate the impact of significant stressors on California’s native fish populations other than the pumps that export water out of the Delta, including nonnative fish species.


April 2010

• April 2010 – National Geographic Magizine publishes special “Water” issue. See PDF version of the article or view online by clicking the National Geographic Water link on the right side of this page.
• Apr. 29, 2010 – The Delta Council issues an Invitation for Comments on the “Draft Interim Plan” (which includes the 2-Gates project).
• Apr. 27, 2010 – AB 1594 introduced by Assemblymember Alyson Huber to require a full legislative vote to approve any proposed peripheral canal around the California Delta was killed in its first policy hearing today for lack of a second motion to take a vote. Supporters of AB 1594 are very disappointed that such a simple, straightforward bill, designed to stop Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s peripheral canal from being built without legislative oversight and a fiscal analysis, didn’t receive a second motion from the Committee members.
• Apr. 20, 2010 – The five Delta County Supervisors request funding to support local implementation of the 2009 Delta legislation.
• Apr. 15, 2010 – In a move designed to avoid complete failure, Assemblymember Fuller (Bakersfield) struck the entire contents of her bill during the hearing held by the State Assembly’s Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee on April 13 that would have sent the estuary’s striped bass fishery on a path toward oblivion. The amended bill would send the issues of estuary’s fishery declines to be reviewed by Delta Stewardship’s Council “Independent Science Board”.
• Apr. 14, 2010 – Assemblymember Alyson Huber reintroduces a bill, AB 1594, that would prohibit construction of a peripheral canal around the Delta without a full fiscal analysis and a vote of the legislature.
• Apr. 13, 2010 – California Sportsfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) and supporters meet at the capital to protest Bill AB2336.
• Apr. 11, 2010 – Assemblymember Fuller introduces AB 2336 to terminate the management and protection of the public’s striped bass fishery that inhabits the Bay-Delta estuary.
• Apr. 1, 2010 – West Coast Salmon Summit hosted by Congressmen George Miller and Mike Thompson.
• Apr. 1, 2010 – The seating of the Delta Stewardship Council occurred. It “happened” to coincide with the West Coast Salmon Summit which contributed to a glaring absence of Delta supporters at the historic seating of the Stewardship Council. The absence of Delta support in the room was noted by one of the public commentators.
• Apr. 1, 2010 – The Department of Water Resources announced they will be installing a Non-Physical Barrier (NPB) at the head of Old River (near Lathrop). The NPB will not prevent navigation. The Operating Schedule shows this NPB and other temporary gates planned for removal before year end.


March 2010

• Mar. 31, 2010 – Six months after the court-ordered release of water from a Central Valley dam, the San Joaquin River is now reconnected with San Francisco Bay, a major development in the river’s long-term recovery and re-establishment of chinook salmon populations.
• Mar. 29, 2010 – Jan McCleery named Exec. Director of the STCDA (replacing Dave Dove who remains as a key resource and steering committee member). STCDA Board for 2010/2011
  – Jan McCleery President
  – Karen Mann Vice President
  – Mike Guzzardo Media Relations
  – Peter Hills Treasurer.
• Mar. 23, 2010 – Alternet Article gives accurate information about current Delta issues: “The Looming Water Disaster That Could Destroy California, and Enrich Its Billionaire Farmers”.
• Mar. 22, 2010 – The State Water Resources Control Board will hold a public informational proceeding on Monday, March 22, to develop flow criteria for the Delta ecosystem necessary to protect public trust resources.
• Mar. 1, 2010 – STCDA Town Hall Meeting. Guest speakers include Mary Peipho (CC Supervisor), Susanna Schlendorf (District Director for Assemblymember Joah Buchanan), David Nesmeth (Environmental Water Caucus) and Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla (RestoreTheDelta.org). Our organization’s name change from “Save the San Francisco Bay and Delta Foundation” (SFBDF) to “Save the California Delta Alliance” (STCDA) announced.


February 2010

• Feb. 26, 2010 – Diane Feinstein withdraws her Amendment to the Senate Jobs Bill.
• Feb. 25, 2010 – AB 38Assembly Joint Resolution No. 38 is introduced by Assembly Members Arambula and Caballero
• Feb. 19, 2010 – AB 35 – Assembly Joint Resolution No. 35 introduced.
• Feb. 11, 2010 – Diane Feinstein authors Amendment to the Senate Jobs Bill to suspend the Environmental Species Act (ESA) protections for Chinook salmon and mandate certain pumping regimes from the Delta.


January 2010

• Jan. 23, 2010 – League of Women Voters’ Delta Water Panel in Antioch attracted hundreds of concerned citizens and legislative representatives
• Jan. 18, 2010 – Holidays are over and the SFBDF activities begin again. Although the 2 Gates are currently postponed, the State’s plans for the Peripheral Canal and increased exports are alive and well.


December 2009

• Dec. 22, 2009 – Obama Administration Plan postpones 2 Gates project indefinitely
• Dec. 21, 2009 – Discovery Bay citizens met with US Congressman Jerry McNerney, Army Corp of Engineers, US Bureau of Reclamations – meeting organized by County Supervisor Mary Piepho and staff
• Dec. 14, 2009 – Sen. Feinstein’s office replies to 2 Gates concerns with information about the USBR 2 Gates project and comment period (not very helpful – the comment period closed 2 weeks earlier!)</li

  
  November 2009

• Nov. 30, 2009 – Donations gathered allowed the SFBDF to hire scientists to work with lawyer to put together an 85-page response to the USBR
• Nov. 25-30, 2009 – Comments and letters pour into the USBR from Discovery Bay CSD (with concerns about water treatment impacts, water quality, etc., etc.; the RBOC, the Sheriff and Marine Patrol. All with serious concerns
• Nov. 25, 2009 – Water War flack – RestoreTheDelta.org calls out phony organization posting ads (showing the Delta as a toilet bowl) paid for by “Friends of the Delta” out of Newport Beach, California. When they called their office, the phone was answered by the Sheldon Group, a public relations firm, representing Southern California water interests and developers
• Nov. 11, 2009 – Contra Costa County calls for an extension to the 2 Gates comment period
• Nov. 13, 2009 – USBR extends the comment period for the 2 Gates Project to Nov. 30
• Nov. 14, 2009 – SFBDF meets with Brentwood City Council, gets support from the San Francisco Yacht Club, spends another weekend passing out comment cards at Safeways
• Nov. 23, 2009 – Six federal agencies want the public to comment on key issues the agencies should address in the short-term work plan they are developing to ensure a sustainable water supply and restoring the environmental integrity of the California Bay-Delta ecosystem. Comments due by Tuesday, Dec. 1
• Nov. 23, 2009 – KGO airs interview with SFBDF Media Relations Mike Guzzardo
• Nov. 23, 2009 – E-Mail response from US Sen. Feinstein’s office applauds the passage of the 5 Water Bills and actions to move more water from the north to the south
• Nov. 20, 2009 – The Army Corp of Engineers extends its comment period to Dec. 30, 2009
• Nov. 9, 2009 – The SFBDF hosts a town hall. Once again the Discovery Bay citizens turn out and fill the elementary school gym to overflowing.
• Nov. 4, 2009 – At 3 AM the 5 Water Bills (including Bond Package) are approved by the California legislature.
• Nov. 4, 2009 – SFBDF received feedback that they have shaken up the Bureau of Reclamation and who did not anticipate such strong response. Dave Dove delivered the flyers to Sacramento today and the Bureau of Reclamation was clearly was blown away by the bulk of responses.
• Nov. 4, 2009 – Reply received from Jerry McNerney. Jerry McNerney is definitely on our side!
• Nov. 1, 2009 – The Army Corp of Engineers begins its permitting process for the 2 Gates Project – Comment period ends Nov. 30, 2009. Lots of community activity in response to these projects!


October 2009

• Oct. 31, 2009 – SFBDF grass-roots effort goes into first gear. Flyers are passed out at the Safeway store, comment cards solicited (Comment period ends in 2 weeks!), lawyer is consulted with In parallel other organizations – the RBOC, RestoreTheDelta.org, etc. – communicate with their members. Local leaders such as Mary Piepho raise the issue upward.
• Oct. 30, 2009 – SFBDF mailing list is created from local groups (DBWGC, DBYC, attendees at the USBR meeting, etc.) Citizens are encouraged to submit comments to the USBR 2 Gates project
• Oct. 29, 2009 – Discovery Bay Yacht Club discussed the 2 Gates meeting and kicks off a grass-roots effort. The Save the San Francisco Bay and Delta Foundation (SFBDF) is formed lead by:
  – Dave Dove as President
  – Karen Mann Vice President
  – Mike Guzzardo Media Relations
  – Peter Hills Treasurer.
  Website www.noDeltaGates.com established.
• Oct 27, 2009 – USBR meeting in Discovery Bay to discuss the 2 Gates project brings out citizens – they fill the elementary school gymnasium to standing room only
• Oct 19, 2009 – Received email from the US Bureau of Reclamations that they had issued their Draft 2 Gates Fish Protection Project EA/FONSI with 30-day comment period ending Nov. 16. Everyone began spreading the word.
• Oct 15, 2009 – US Senate (backed by Feinstein and Boxer) approve US funding for 2 Gates and other projects to increase exports to the Central Valley


September 2009

• Sep. 31, 2009 – Susanna Schlendorf, District Director for Joan Buchanan provided information on the 2 Gates project. She believed that the 2 Gates project was likely “done deals” due to stimulus funding from the US government
• Sep. 22, 2009 – BDCP 5-hour Workshop was held in Brentwood (chaired by Karla Nemeth). Citizens attended to get answers about 2 Gates. BDCP said they weren’t involved in the 2 Gates project (although the gates were shown on all their maps labeled as permanent salinity gates!) The US Bureau of Reclamations representatives were in attendance (the organization that WAS responsible for 2 Gates) but told the attendees that they didn’t have any information to report on.
• Sep. 16, 2009 – The USBR sent email to distribution list that they were completing a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA), which then would have a 30-day public review and comment period
• Sep. 15, 2009 – CA Sen. DeSaulinier’s office received an update from the USBR that the bids for the 2 Gates came in double their expected estimate due in large part to the expedited schedule. The 2 Gates schedule (installation in October 2009) was being delayed
• Sep. 11, 2009 – Legislators from the five Delta Counties worked through the night to defeat the Peripheral Canal Bills . . . or so they thought. The Governor extended the session. Another round of letter writing to defeat the 2 Gates project. And another letter to the editor of the Discovery Bay Press.
• Sep. 9, 2009 – Information provided by CA Sen. DeSaulnier’s office obtained from the USBR about the 2 Gates Project raised even more boating and safety concerns.
• Sep. 8, 2009 – The topic of the 2 Gates Project was discussed at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club (DBYC).
• Sep. 2, 2009 – Ongoing letter writing campaign from a growing number of concerned citizens. Expanded beyond California legislators to include US Senators Feinstein and Boxer and Congressman McNerney.


August 2009 – IT BEGINS !

• Aug. 28, 2009 – Discovery Bay Press runs a front-page article on the 2 Gates Project (The paper began regularly covering 2 Gates status and events.)
• Aug. 28, 2009 – Discovery Bay letter writing campaign conducted.
• Aug. 28, 2009 – Supervisor Piepho sends plea to Congressman Jerry McNerney asking for his help regarding the 2 Gates project.
• Aug. 27, 2009 – At the Discovery Bay Sheriff’s open house, citizens talk to the Marine Patrol who had no idea about the 2 Gates plans even though the gates are right in the middle of their normal rescue operations. Said it would be a big problem.
• Aug. 26, 2009 – Recreational Boaters of California (RBOC) issue a Call to Arms to all boaters and yacht clubs regarding the 2 Gates.
• Aug. 19, 2009 – Roberta Goulart of the Contra Costa Water Agency attends Discovery Bay CSD meeting to talk about the 2 Gates project. The office had the location of the 2 Gates by Frank’s Tract rather than the current location in the center of the South Delta (i.e., the USBR changed the location without notifying any county representatives).
• Aug. 16-17 – Million Boater Float-In demonstration in Sacramento.
• Aug. 13, 2009 – County Supervisor Mary Piepho’s office requests DWR representative speak to the CSD due to letters from concerned citizens.
• Aug. 12, 2009:
  – Emails were sent to the EPA about 2 Gates. No reply was received.
  – Letter to the Editor ran in the local newspaper (Discovery Bay Press).
  – State Senator Mark DeSaulnier’s office said he was opposed to the
     Peripheral Canal but had no comments/concern about the 2 Gates
     project.
• Aug. 8, 2009 – The Discovery Bay Press was asked why 2 Gates hadn’t been covered. Response was that it wasn’t the type of issue normally covered by the small local papers.
• Aug. 6, 2009 – CalFed meeting was held on 2 Gates held in Sacramento – few people were aware of it.
  Attendees said that very few of the important issues have been considered yet the project was rushing ahead. (The 2
  Gates project was called “The biggest environmental experiment ever conducted” at the meeting)
• Aug. 2-5, 2009 – Discovery Bay citizans began seeking information about 2 Gates. Contacted the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and RestoreTheDelta.org, communicated with the local Community Services District (CSD) (town Board), began seeking information from government representatives. Began informing neighbors and friends about the 2-Gates project, posted letters to the editor. Others joined in the letter-writing.
• Aug. 1, 2009 – Bass Fisherman passed out flyers to boats anchored in the Mildred Island anchorage informing them about the 2 Gates Project with installation scheduled OCTOBER 2009 in Old River and Connection Slough