Rally at the State Capitol Against the Proposed Flow Objectives Plan
On August 20th at noon, farmers and community leaders are invited to the State Capitol (North Steps facing L Street) in Sacramento to rally against the regulatory proposal to slash water resources for farms and communities by considerably increasing the amount of water flows for fish and wildlife purposes from the lower San Joaquin River and its three tributaries, the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced Rivers.
Ag Council and many others are urging the State Water Resources Control Board to reject the proposed Bay-Delta Plan Amendments for Flow Objectives on the lower San Joaquin River, which mandates that water users provide significantly more flows for fish and wildlife. The proposal removes flexibility needed in the water system to manage drought and address impacts relating to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
Rather than the extreme board proposal, local water districts and stakeholders are offering science-based plans including functional flow and non-flow solutions. The water users should be given the opportunity to engage in renewed voluntary settlement discussions with state officials to work toward a more collaborative solution that protects the environment without sacrificing people in disadvantaged communities and the production of locally grown food.
We encourage members to attend the rally to help garner media attention regarding the severe impacts of the proposal to cut water resources for farmers and communities. Click HERE for more details about the rally, including information regarding transportation options from locations throughout the state.
The State Water Resources Control Board begins two days of meetings to hear public comments on the regulatory proposal on August 21 and 22 at CalEPA headquarters located at 1001 I Street, 2nd floor. Ag Council President Emily Rooney plans to comment at the meeting.
To read the recent comment letter signed by water districts, business groups and ag organizations, including Ag Council, click HERE. The letter urges the board to reject the flow objectives proposal. Please contact Ag Council at ph. (916) 443-4887 if you have any questions