Extension sought for toxic discharge into the San Joaquin River

The San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority along with the Bureau of Reclamation are seeking a 10 year extension to continue discharging 16,000 acre-feet of toxic water into the San Joaquin River. 

In November 1995, an interim project called the Grasslands Bypass Project was created to help prevent 50,000 acre-feet of toxic water from being discharged into the San Joaquin. For the past thirteen years the Grasslands Bypass Project has reduced the discharge of toxic water into the San Joaquin, but has not eliminated it.  Now, an extension is sought to continue the project for another 10 years even though it does not completely eliminate toxic water going into the San Joaquin River.

To continue the discharges after December 31, 2009, the Grasslands Bypass Project needs to extend or amend their Memorandum of Understanding with the California Department of Fish and Game and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Board need to revise their Basin Plan objectives for 2010 and amend their Water Discharge Requirements.

Why is this extension a bad idea?  The project has had thirteen years to find an alternative solution to prevent all the toxic discharges.  A 10 year extension just postpones any real pressure to fix the problem. 

What effect does this have on the San Joaquin Restoration Project?  16,000 acre-feet equals about 5.2 billion gallons.  That amount of toxic water being dumped into the river every year would have a significant impact on salmon and other fish and wildlife in the river. 

What can you do?  Attend or submit comments to the public hearing on the draft EIR.  The public hearing will be at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at 842 Sixth St., Suite 7, in Los Banos, CA.

 www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1099428.html