News Release (C-27-98)

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For Immediate Release (C-27-98) Contact: Communications Office (916) 324-9670 November 3, 1998

Water Board Extends Delta Operational Water Rights; Adds New Conditions

SACRAMENTO -- The State Water Resources Control Board today approved an order extending for one year certain terms and conditions of the 1995 water rights held by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) for operation of both the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project.

In addition, new conditions adopted by the Board protect some agricultural diverters by restricting when the DWR and the USBR may pump water out of the southern Delta. Under these conditions, the two agencies must ensure that their take of water does not leave water levels in the central and southern Delta canals too low for diversion for agricultural uses. Additionally, the USBR and the DWR must work with the South Delta Water Agency to develop methods to better predict the effects on water levels in the southern Delta due to pumping at the Banks and Tracy pumping plants. A study of this issue is required by December 31, 1999.

The interim extension will remain in effect until December 31, 1999, or until the Board adopts a comprehensive water rights decision that meets all of its 1995 Bay-Delta objectives.

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1998 Releases | Archived Press Releases