Tag: Delta Independent Science Board

Delta Independent Science Board requests extension on Delta tunnel Draft EIR comments

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

On September 2, 2022, Lisa Wainger, the new Chair of the Delta Independent Science Board, sent a letter to the Department of Water Resources Director, Karla Nemeth, asking for a 30 day extension of time to comment on the Delta Conveyance Project Draft EIR. The DISB Chair's letter gave the following reasons for asking for … Continue reading Delta Independent Science Board requests extension on Delta tunnel Draft EIR comments

Delta ISB review of Delta tunnel project proceeding under huge time pressure

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

On June 8, 2022, DWR’s Director, Karla Nemeth, made a presentation on the Delta tunnel project to the Delta Independent Science Board (Delta ISB), with several of the scientists who had worked on the project. She said that she supported the Delta ISB’s review of the project. But unlike the twin tunnels project, the Department … Continue reading Delta ISB review of Delta tunnel project proceeding under huge time pressure

The eye of the storm and the State Water Resources Control Board

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 2 Comments

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Climate Change Mitigation Strategist, Max Gomberg, just retired, and sent an incendiary parting letter to his colleagues, stating, Witnessing the agency’s ability to tackle big challenges nearly eviscerated by this Administration has been gut wrenching. The way some of you have simply rolled over and accepted this has also … Continue reading The eye of the storm and the State Water Resources Control Board

Senate Climate Budget Plan proposals on water management science

Tree in wet and dry landscape
~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

This Water and Drought package of the California Senate's Climate Budget Plan proposes major investment in water management science. One of the goals is to: Strengthen water rights quantification and enforcement at SWRCB. Currently the state does not have a reliable quantification of water rights or the ability to effectively enforce. The budget plan includes … Continue reading Senate Climate Budget Plan proposals on water management science

Models that forecast water that isn’t there hurt all beneficial uses

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

Assemblymember Adam Gray has called for an audit of the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board, in part to answer the question, What happened in the Water Year 2021 (October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021) to lead the state to miscalculate by some 700,000 acre-feet the amount of water … Continue reading Models that forecast water that isn’t there hurt all beneficial uses

On political winds, adaptive management and the Delta Independent Science Board

Signs saying respect ethics scientific integrity
~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

The Delta Reform Act of 2009 created the Delta Independent Science Board as a board “in state government,” and tasked the board with “oversight of the scientific research, monitoring, and assessment programs that support adaptive management of the Delta through periodic reviews…” (Water Code section 85280(a)(3).) Senate Bill 821, chaptered in October 2021, added language … Continue reading On political winds, adaptive management and the Delta Independent Science Board

On the Voluntary Agreements — comments to the Delta ISB

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

On Thursday March 10, 2022, the Delta Independent Science Board had a presentation by Diane Riddle, Matt Holland, and Erin Foresman of the State Water Resources Control Board on the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan. These were my comments: In the interests of fairness and balance, I am going to provide the viewpoint of  environmental … Continue reading On the Voluntary Agreements — comments to the Delta ISB

Governor Newsom signs SB 821, restoring compensation to Delta Independent Science Board

Delta ISB meeting
~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 3 Comments

On Thursday, October 7, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 821, which mandates that members of the Delta Independent Science Board shall not be employees of the Delta Stewardship Council, and that the Council shall issue contracts to pay the Delta Independent Science Board members at professional scientific rates. The Governor’s signing of SB 821 … Continue reading Governor Newsom signs SB 821, restoring compensation to Delta Independent Science Board

Bill to restore compensation for Delta Independent Science Board languishes on Governor Newsom’s desk

Delta ISB meeting
~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 2 Comments

Two decades ago, California agencies joined federal agencies in signing the CALFED Record of Decision, which committed to a world class Delta science program. A key part of that commitment was to establish an Independent Science Board to provide oversight and peer review of the overall program. In 2009, the legislature established the Delta Independent … Continue reading Bill to restore compensation for Delta Independent Science Board languishes on Governor Newsom’s desk

On DWR’s water supply models and drought risks

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 2 Comments

The Delta Independent Science Board has just released their draft Water Supply Reliability Review. We strongly agree with their recommendation on water supply system models: The next generation of state-sponsored water supply system models for reliability estimation should be built, updated, and evaluated by a broad consortium of state and federal agencies and external experts … Continue reading On DWR’s water supply models and drought risks