State Water Contractors applaud decision, which reinforces science-based water management
From the State Water Contractors:
On Thursday, July 9, the U.S. District Court denied a request for a temporary restraining order that would have restricted the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s planned operations of Shasta Dam and reduced releases for the remainder of summer and early fall. The Court found the Bureau’s operational plans represented a reasonable interpretation of the 2024 Endangered Species Act biological opinion, clearing a path toward more real-time, responsive releases from Shasta.
Statement from Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors:
“The State Water Contractors support measures that maximize water flows for our farms and communities while complying with the Endangered Species Act.
“Managing California’s complex water systems requires careful coordination, real-time data, and flexibility. Thursday’s ruling allows the Bureau of Reclamation to proceed with its planned operations — keeping vital water supplies moving while continuing to meet rigorous environmental objectives without premature legal gridlock. The SWC welcome the Court’s decision to reject the meritless attempts from opponents of science-based water management in California.”
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The State Water Contractors is a statewide, non-profit association of 27 public agencies from Northern, Central and Southern California that purchase water under contract from the California State Water Project. Collectively, the State Water Contractors deliver water to more than 27 million residents throughout the state and more than 750,000 acres of agricultural land. For more information on the State Water Contractors, please visit www.swc.org.
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