Category: Delta science

Delta Independent Science Board: bill to fix compensation passes Assembly

Delta ISB meeting
~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 2 Comments

Senate Bill 821, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: Delta Independent Science Board, was introduced by the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee in March to restore compensation for the Delta Independent Science Board members.  The bill has been winding its way through the legislature. SB 821 was passed out of the Assembly on Thursday, July 15 with … Continue reading Delta Independent Science Board: bill to fix compensation passes Assembly

“Legendary” Bay Delta scientist Jim Cloern resigns from Delta Independent Science Board

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

USGS scientist emeritus Jim Cloern has resigned from the Delta Independent Science Board (Delta ISB), effective June 19, 2021. Cloern was one of six new scientists appointed to the board in June of 2020 by the Delta Stewardship Council after a nationwide search. The 2009 Delta Reform Act created the Delta ISB as a board … Continue reading “Legendary” Bay Delta scientist Jim Cloern resigns from Delta Independent Science Board

Assembly adds urgency clause to bill to save Delta Independent Science Board

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

As detailed in our June 29 blog post, Senate Bill 821 was introduced by the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee to address the funding crisis for the Delta Independent Science Board. The bill has passed out of the Senate and is in the Assembly. California Water Research raised concerns at the Delta Stewardship Council’s … Continue reading Assembly adds urgency clause to bill to save Delta Independent Science Board

Legislation to save the Delta Independent Science Board under negotiation

Delta ISB meeting
~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

As explained in a previous blog post, the Delta Independent Science Board (Delta ISB) was defunded in Fiscal Year 2020-21. In June of 2020 the Delta Stewardship Council staff discontinued contracts paying the Delta ISB members at professional scientific rates. The Delta ISB members then served without compensation until November of 2020, when the contracts … Continue reading Legislation to save the Delta Independent Science Board under negotiation

Letter: FY 2020-21 appropriation for Delta Independent Science Board diverted

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

On May 26, 2021, California Water Research sent a letter to the chairs of the California Senate and Assembly budget committees and subcommittees regarding the FY 2020-21 appropriations for support of the Delta Independent Science Board.  We wrote: Re: FY 2020-21 appropriation to the Delta Stewardship Council has not been used as intended by the … Continue reading Letter: FY 2020-21 appropriation for Delta Independent Science Board diverted

Did COVID budget cuts get allocated to the Delta Independent Science Board?

Photo of sign saying funding cut
~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

For fiscal years 2017-2020, the Delta Independent Science Board had $2.0 million in funding to pay the Delta Independent Science Board members through contracts, about $670,000 a year. Almost all of this funding was lost In FY 2020-21, when the compensation for the Board members was changed to a $100 per diem salary. Due to … Continue reading Did COVID budget cuts get allocated to the Delta Independent Science Board?

“No legal basis” for 90% pay reduction for Delta Independent Science Board members

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

In October 2020, the Delta Stewardship Council changed the compensation structure for the Delta Independent Science Board. From 2010-2020, the nationally and internationally prominent scientists on the board were compensated through contracts which paid professional scientific rates. The Council changed the compensation to a salary of $100 per diem. This change crippled the Delta Independent … Continue reading “No legal basis” for 90% pay reduction for Delta Independent Science Board members

TUCP: California Water Research asks Water Board to require report on 2021 runoff forecast errors

NWS May 2021 snowpack
~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

California Water Research filed a protest of the May 17 Temporary Urgency Change Petition by the California Department of Water Resources and the US Bureau of Reclamation. We requested that the State Water Resources Control Board require a written report by DWR and USBR on the methodology used for the runoff forecast used in this … Continue reading TUCP: California Water Research asks Water Board to require report on 2021 runoff forecast errors

California Water Research calls for formal consideration of Delta Independent Science Board compensation

Transparency
~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

At the May 21, 2021 Delta Stewardship Council meeting, Deirdre Des Jardins, Director of California Water Research, called for the Delta Stewardship Council to formally consider compensation for the Delta Independent Science Board at the next meeting. The request was supported by comments of Councilmember Don Nottoli. OK, this is Deirdre Des Jardins with California … Continue reading California Water Research calls for formal consideration of Delta Independent Science Board compensation

Delta Stewardship Council members call for resolution of Delta Independent Science Board funding crisis

Delta Stewardship Council meeting 5-21
~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

At the Delta Stewardship Council's May 21, 2021 meeting, the Delta Independent Science Board Chair, Stephen Brandt gave a presentation on the Independent Science Board's Invasive Species report.  The presentation concluded with a plea for restoration of compensation for the Independent Science Board so they could continue their work. Councilmember Frank Damrell asked about Senate … Continue reading Delta Stewardship Council members call for resolution of Delta Independent Science Board funding crisis