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Opening Remarks of U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano
Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Water and Power
Oversight Field Hearing on "Extinction is Not a Sustainable Water Policy: The Bay-Delta Crisis and the Implications for California Water Management"
July 2, 2007
First, I would like to thank Congressman George Miller and his staff from the Concord District Office. You all have been gracious hosts. I would also like to thank the city manager's office of Vallejo for allowing us to use the Vallejo City Council Chambers. On behalf of myself and Congressman Nick Rahall, Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, I thank you for your hospitality.
The delta smelt is referred to as an "indicator species" for the health of the delta. The population of the delta smelt has literally crashed in the last 5 years, and they are now below their effective population size. If the delta smelt becomes extinct, there will be no winners. And if anyone here thinks the challenges facing the delta will just go away if the smelt completely disappear, you are mistaken.
I understand there is scientific uncertainty about the causes of the smelt decline. Uncertainty seems to be the theme of many of the agency documents and decisions related to the smelt. Yes, the delta is a complex system with many interacting factors, but there has been clear evidence that the decline of the smelt and other fish species is correlated to our water management practices. So much so, that the federal courts have had to step in. Was this neglect on the part of federal agencies, or manipulation?
If the courts start managing our water, nobody wins. The courts will not give water users, or the smelt for that matter, more certainty about their future. Managing from crisis to crisis will not work. I have one fundamental question I want to get to the bottom of:
Why has there been no real action on the part of federal or state agencies to address the overall health of the delta, of which the smelt are just one indication?
This basic question touches on so many interrelated water issues. Why is it that we have become so dependent on the Delta that our entire economy is at risk if water exports are stopped to protect fish? Where is our backup? Shouldn't we start developing more alternative water supplies for California through water recycling? Shouldn't we be looking more to groundwater storage and banking?
Broadly stated, we are here today to explore what we have done to the delta, what we have neglected to do, and to explore ways to restore and manage the delta in a sustainable manner. Our cities and our farms and the future of California depends on it. I hope today's hearing yields real ideas.
And with that I yield to my friend and colleague, the Honorable Jim Costa for any statement he may have.
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