In this very polarized political climate, any mention of leaving water in rivers, streams and reservoirs for the environment stirs up debate. The fight over water rights is nothing new in California. But in our region in particular, the debate is coming to a head. The State Water Resources Control Board is in the process of updating the Bay-Delta Plan, where they are proposing to allocate a portion of the San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced River watersheds' freshwater for native salmonids and the ecosystem they call home. In essence, this plan would be an important step in a paradigm shift for our region, where regulators grant the environment a right to a portion of the region's freshwater.
Photo: Goldeneye, Jessica Hadley
An article published by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) Water Policy Center this month, titled "Water for the Environment", describes the plight of California’s freshwater species and ecosystems, and the complicated concept of environmental water.
According to PPIC's article, since California became a state in 1850, the construction of over 1,000 dams have eliminated spawning habitat for salmonids, around 95 percent of river and stream native vegetation are gone, and 95 percent of the state's wetlands have vanished. In addition, native freshwater fish species have dramatically declined, with a quarter of these species listed as threatened or endangered.
Farms and cities use about half of the state’s available water. Not to mention with climate change, drought and ever-increasing population growth, the outlook on the state's future freshwater supply for the environment is grim, if something isn't done differently.
A lot has to change in order to ensure the environment maintains a right to water in California.
The PPIC article suggests several concepts, including the development of environmental stewardship plans, having reliable sources of funding for environmental stewardship, giving the environment a water budget, and improving accounting for environmental water.
Also just as important, is the need for dramatic changes in urban and industrial consumption of the state's freshwater and a higher standard of accountability when there is water waste. Since ultimately, the misuse of freshwater by urban areas, agriculture and industry equates to less water for the environment.
Watch PPIC's video on California's freshwater ecosystems and their right to water. And check out the PPIC's website on this idea of water for the environment.