Press release from the State Water Contractors:
Yesterday, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) issued an order modifying the February 21 Order (Order) that acted on a Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) submitted by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to modify the most-westerly X2 compliance location specified in their water right permits for February and March. The TUCP recognized the below average hydrology in February and provided opportunities to maintain water supply operations without negative effects on fish and water quality. The Order also recognized that the State Water Board could rescind the Order if hydrologic conditions improved.
Following the March 8, 2023 Bulletin 120 hydrologic forecast, hydrologic conditions have improved since the Order was issued with additional significant precipitation projected to occur. Based on this improved hydrology, the State Water Board found that the need for the TUCP no longer exists.
Statement from Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors:
“California is increasingly experiencing climate whiplash with much of the state’s precipitation coming from flashy storms followed by long, dry periods. The decision to implement the TUCP was the right call at the time and now that the hydrology has improved, it’s the right call to revise the order.
We are grateful for the recent storms that have allowed flow conditions throughout the Bay-Delta watershed to increase substantially and meet all the beneficial uses, in addition to the forecasted storms in the coming weeks. California is still recovering from years of drought and water cutbacks. The past few weeks have shown us that we must establish operational rules that can better respond to hydrologic conditions in real time. Science-based flexibility in our management, implementing the Voluntary Agreements and investing in infrastructure projects like the Delta Conveyance Project all remain necessary to ensure adequate and reliable water supplies for California’s people and the environment.”
