This is a pretty strong opinion:

Increases in freshwater exports out of the California Delta, the operation of Shasta Dam and other inland habitat problems have not only led to the collapse of Central Valley salmon populations, but also threaten the southern resident killer whale population.

These were the conclusions of National Marine Fisheries Service scientists disclosed during a frank discussion of the recently released rewritten draft biological opinion on the impacts of the state and federal water projects during a meeting in Sacramento with representatives of fishing and environmental groups…

As a result of litigation by NRDC, Earthjustice and fishing groups, a federal judge ruled that the previous biological opinion violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The court ordered the agency directed to issue a new opinion by March of 2009 - and the draft opinion was released in December 2008.

The Opinion also concludes the water projects would likely result in the “adverse modification” or “destruction of critical habitat for the three salmon species.” Jeopardy and adverse modifications indicate that the Operating Criteria and Plan (OCAP) process cannot move forward as planned.

[snip]

We must stop the attempt by the Department of Water Resources and Bureau of Reclamation to suspend Endangered Species Act protections for Delta smelt and legislation. We must also defeat legislation by Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa), H.R. 856, to temporarily suspend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as it applies to the California pumping facilities during times of “drought” emergencies declared by the Governor. And we must stop the campaign by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senator Dianne Feinstein and the Natural Conservancy to build a peripheral canal and more dams!

With Delta exports to the State Water Project limited to 15% of contracted terms this year (and federal Central Valley Project deliveries projected to be zero), south-of-Delta interests are going to suffer. If this opinion is accepted and all exports are cut-off, Southern California (ag and urban) will have to do with a lower supply. Some farmers (see photo) may not be happy with me for making such a suggestion, but the end of abundance requires tough changes.

The harm from such reductions can be minimized through water markets (and all-in-auctions), but the political battle over exports and the Peripheral Canal will drag on for awhile, I reckon. Too bad.

Bottom Line: We need to take care of the environment unless we want an environment that cannot take care of us. End exports, forget the Peripheral Canal, and restore the ecosystem.

hattip to DG for the photo manipulation