Conservation Groups Criticize State Water Board’s Side Deals

water into the estuary is crucial since four species of native fish have made the federal endangered species list since 1992, bringing the total to 6.

“At this point, we’re trying to avoid extinction for most native fish populations that rely on the Bay Delta,” said Overhouse. “We’re talking about not just delta smelt; we’re talking about all runs of salmon, longfin smelt, and sturgeon. They would be completely wiped out.”

Over-pumping freshwater, pollution, and climate change contribute to poor water quality. Multiple water agencies pump water from the delta and send it to the Central Valley’s farms and cities in Southern California.

By Desert Star Staff

The State Water Board now says it will take another two years to finalize the San Francisco-San Joaquin Delta water management plan.

After that, it is proceeding with voluntary agreements with water agencies.

Conservation groups spoke out at a workshop held by the board late last week - and some are asking the board to scrap the voluntary agreements.

Ashley OverhouseCalifornia water policy advisor with Defenders of Wildlifesaid a new plan to put more

Other agencies are resisting entreaties to release more water into the delta. However, the group representing public water agencies, the State Water Contractors, spoke out in favor of the board’s decision to move forward with