Tag: Delta Science Program

Delta Lead Scientist creates unprecedented conflicts of interest with multi-million dollar UC research grants

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

The Delta Lead Scientist, Dr. Laurel Larsen, is a hydroecologist at the University of California’s Berkeley campus. She is the first mid-career scientist to hold the position of Delta Lead Scientist, having received tenure in 2018. The Lead Scientist position and the Delta Science Program were first created under the 2000 CALFED Record of Decision, … Continue reading Delta Lead Scientist creates unprecedented conflicts of interest with multi-million dollar UC research grants

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

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

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

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

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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