Cardoza Hails Court Order to Temporarily Lift Restrictions on Delta Pumps
Congressional Desk
February 06, 2010
WASHINGTON – Congressman Cardoza praised a federal judge´s decision to ease the restrictions on the Delta pumps, temporarily increasing irrigation water supplies to farmers in the San Joaquin Valley.
"Finally we are seeing some sanity after what has been years of dysfunctional management of our state´s water system," Cardoza said.
In Fresno, U.S. District Court Judge Oliver Wanger said that restrictions placed on irrigation supplies from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta could be eased for 14 days. Several Valley water districts – including Westlands Water District and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority – had requested a Temporary Restraining Order on pumping restrictions that resulted from the National Marine Fisheries Service´s Biological Opinion on Chinook salmon.
Judge Wanger determined that the loss in pumping caused by the biological opinion exacerbates the current catastrophic situation faced by Valley farmers.
He further stated that under the current rain and weather conditions, lifting the restrictions on pumping would have a minimal impact on the listed species. At the same time, he said, failing to ease restrictions could cause "substantial and irreparable" harm to farmers.
"I have long said we need to consider the devastating impacts of the Biological Opinions on our farms and food supply, particularly in light of the fact that the cutbacks at the pumps are not resulting in an increase in the fisheries. The judge´s ruling temporarily does this, bringing some common sense into water management decisions," said Congressman Cardoza.
"Finally we are seeing some sanity after what has been years of dysfunctional management of our state´s water system," Cardoza said.
In Fresno, U.S. District Court Judge Oliver Wanger said that restrictions placed on irrigation supplies from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta could be eased for 14 days. Several Valley water districts – including Westlands Water District and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority – had requested a Temporary Restraining Order on pumping restrictions that resulted from the National Marine Fisheries Service´s Biological Opinion on Chinook salmon.
Judge Wanger determined that the loss in pumping caused by the biological opinion exacerbates the current catastrophic situation faced by Valley farmers.
He further stated that under the current rain and weather conditions, lifting the restrictions on pumping would have a minimal impact on the listed species. At the same time, he said, failing to ease restrictions could cause "substantial and irreparable" harm to farmers.
"I have long said we need to consider the devastating impacts of the Biological Opinions on our farms and food supply, particularly in light of the fact that the cutbacks at the pumps are not resulting in an increase in the fisheries. The judge´s ruling temporarily does this, bringing some common sense into water management decisions," said Congressman Cardoza.
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