San Diego County Water Authority General Manager’s Statement on Federal Biological Opinion for Delta Smelt

December 15, 2008

A statement from Maureen Stapleton, General Manager, San Diego County Water Authority on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s new biological…

A statement from Maureen Stapleton, General Manager, San Diego County Water Authority on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s new biological opinion on Delta smelt that will guide operations of the State Water Project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

“We are studying the new biological opinion issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We will work with the state Department of Water Resources, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and other agencies as necessary to assess the opinion’s potential effects on San Diego County’s water supply as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the ongoing regulatory and legal conflicts about the Delta underscore the necessity to immediately invest in permanent Delta fixes that improve the reliability of this vital water supply source, as well as improve the sustainability of its ecosystem.”

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  • The San Diego County Water Authority sustains a $268 billion regional economy and the quality of life for 3.3 million residents through a multi-decade water supply diversification plan, major infrastructure investments and forward-thinking policies that promote fiscal and environmental responsibility. A public agency created in 1944, the Water Authority delivers wholesale water supplies to 23 retail water providers, including cities, special districts and a military base.

    Media Contact Information

    Jordan Beane

    Phone: (858) 221-3975

    Email: jbeane@sdcwa.org