Rivers of a Lost Coast

John Ellis of the Fresno Bee reported last friday on Judge Oliver Wagner’s validation of the claim that the that the new Delta smelt plan lacked an assessment on the environmental effect on humans. This is seen as a victory for water users along the westside of the valley, notable members of the Westland’s water district, in their series of lawsuits trying to maintain water rights.

U.S. District Judge Oliver Wanger did not tell officials how to operate the Central Valley Project, and he said it was up to them to manage the massive water pumps in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

growers are receiving less water for crops. Wanger’s ruling Friday raised growers’ hopes of getting some of that water back, although the case is far from over.

Fresno Bee article

Jeff Barnard of the Associated Press also reported last friday that the Klamath Tribes of Oregon and farmers have agreed to drop their state water rights battle pending approval of a federal agreement leading to removal of dams on the Klamath River.

The settlement filed Wednesday with the Oregon Department of Water Resources mirrors the water issues in the dam removal plan, known as the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement.

Tribal attorney Carl Ullman said the settlement contains the same elements as the restoration agreement, and shows the potential that agreement has for settling difficult conflicts over water and other resources.

Klamath River Aagreement article