Kelly Zito and Peter Fimrite of the SF Chronicle reported today, it is likely President Obama will sign the landmark Wilderness Bill which includes a $400 Million dollar project approved by Congress and supported by Barbara Boxer to begin repairing and restoring flows to the San Joaquin River. The construction of Friant Dam in 1942, coupled with the refusal of the Bureau of Land Management to release adequate water flows destroyed the San Joaquin’s once plentiful run of Chinook salmon nearly 60 years ago.
Obama’s approval is expected to seal the 2006 settlement between fishing groups/environmentalist and farming interests. The catalyst lawsuit brought on in 1988 will ultimately result in a 16-19% decrease in water usage for farmers while increasing storage behind Friant dam to help provide year round water for salmon.
