MWD issues statement on new Bay-Delta Conservation Plan

LOS ANGELES, CA, Dec. 15, 2010 -- Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, issued the following statement regarding today's new state and federal updates on the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan process:

"This historic effort to put the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta on a path to recovery has reached an important milestone. The report released today by Lester Snow, California's secretary of Natural Resources, captures the progress that has been made over the past four years and points to a path toward resolving remaining issues.

"It is particularly encouraging that a separate report by President Obama's Administration supports new water conveyance facilities in the Delta in order to physically separate the movement of water supplies from the natural pulses of the tidal estuary. Continued federal leadership and the rapid engagement on Delta matters by Gov.-elect Brown's incoming administration will be essential for the BDCP to maintain the momentum.

"The BDCP is within reach of identifying measures that will regain water supply reliability for more than 25 million Californians and dramatically improve ecosystem restoration efforts. Metropolitan continues to seek a return to Delta water supply reliability prior to that of recent court-triggered restrictions. Gov. Schwarzenegger's Administration has made great strides in the Delta and has provided the groundwork for a seamless transition that can lead to key decisions on the specifics identified in the BDCP in the months ahead."

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.

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