The peripheral canal is probably the only long-range resolution to this ongoing dilemma.
New curb sought on Delta pumping
By Matt Weiser - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, June 21, 2007
Environmental groups have asked a federal judge to restrict water exports in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta after 10 days of renewed pumping have killed hundreds of threatened Delta smelt.
Water pumps in the Delta routinely kill many smelt in the course of exporting water to the Bay Area and Southern California. State and federal water agencies curtailed the diversions starting May 31 after population surveys indicated the tiny fish may be near extinction.
The pumping resumed June 10 in response to water shortage fears, and 516 smelt have been recorded killed since then. Yet combined pumping by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and California Department of Water Resources was projected to increase further this week.
The Delta provides water to 25 million Californians and more than 5 million acres of farmland.
