Monday November 29, 2021
The Press —
Advocates for the environment hailed the state’s recent decision to implement updated water-flow standards in the San Joaquin River, but what the move will mean for Sacramento River flows remains to be seen.
The action taken by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA) ended the voluntary agreement process for the San Joaquin River watershed. A letter dated Oct. 20 and jointly signed by CNRA Secretary Wade Crowfoot and CNRPA Secretary Jared Blumenfeld advised water contractors in the watershed of the state’s decision.
“Keeping healthy, unimpaired flows is about protecting groundwater supplies,” said Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director of Restore the Delta. “It’s about protecting public trust resources, food supplies and wildlife networks. Everything is linked to the health of California rivers, including our drinking water supplies.”