Tag: Delta Stewardship Council

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

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

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 framework of power in California water – comments to the Delta Stewardship Council

Metropolitan Water District building
~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 4 Comments

These comments were made to the Delta Stewardship Council at the October 28, 2021 meeting. I wanted to share with you some thoughts from Hisham Ziuaddeen, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at University of Cambridge. He talked about frameworks of power. And I realized there is a framework of power in California water, and it determines: … Continue reading On the framework of power in California water – comments to the Delta Stewardship Council

Revised Delta Levees Investment Strategy approved over objections by Delta stakeholders

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

At the August 2021 meeting, the Delta Stewardship Council voted to approve a revised Delta Levees Investment Strategy and to move to formal rulemaking, with Councilmember Don Nottoli, Chair of the Delta Protection Commission, voting against the proposal. The Delta Levees Investment Strategy prioritizes state funding for Delta levees.  Levees marked "very high" priority (red), … Continue reading Revised Delta Levees Investment Strategy approved over objections by Delta stakeholders

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 Protection Commission, Water Board express support for restoring funding to the Delta ISB

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

Both the Delta Protection Commission and the Water Board expressed strong support for restoring funding for the Delta Independent Science Board at their meetings this month. The Delta Protection Commission voted unanimously to send a letter of support for SB 821 to the legislature. At the August 5, 2021 Delta Protection Commission meeting, the Commissioners … Continue reading Delta Protection Commission, Water Board express support for restoring funding to the Delta ISB

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