United States Environmental Protection Agency Launches Investigation into Pollutants in the Delta

Thursday, 10 February 2011

The United States Environmental Protection Agency launched an investigation today of the toxins and pollutants impacting fish species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Toxins in the Delta have long been recognized as one of the many elements negatively impacting the Delta ecosystem.

Sacramento, CA – “Taking a hard look at all of the stressors on the Delta ecosystem is the only way we will fully resolve this environmental crisis. State and federal agencies, environmental organizations and public water agencies have been examining these stressors and exploring solutions for four years now through the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, and we are on the verge of a comprehensive fix.  The EPA should jump right in, but as part of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan and in partnership with its sister federal agencies, not with a new process separate from the Bay Delta Conservation Plan.  A separate process only runs the risk of dueling federal regulations for the Delta.

“Issues related to salinity, water supply and Delta flows are already being directly addressed by the other state and federal regulatory agencies involved in the Bay Delta Conservation Plan. It’s clear that coordination among agencies is absolutely necessary, especially as we get close to making decisions about the future of the Delta.”

CONTACT:
Fiona Hutton
Ann Newton
(818) 760-2121