Tuolumne River Trust - Stop the Water Grab

A year ago we faced a Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) that would have diverted an additional 25 million gallons of water per day from the Tuolumne River. Fortunately, at a public hearing on October 30th the SFPUC approved the Phased WSIP, which will cap water sales at current levels until 2018. This was a huge victory – the first time we’ve ever had a cap on sales.

Many thanks to all of you who wrote letters to the SFPUC or attended last night’s hearing. We had an overflow crowd, with dozens of articulate and passionate speakers. It was wonderful to see so many people committed to the health of the Tuolumne River and other local watersheds. Thank you again, and we look forward to working with you on the next phase of the campaign – promoting water conservation and recycling.

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Peter Drekmeier, Tuolumne River Trust, 415-882-7252 ext. 302

Jennifer Clary, Clean Water Action, 415-369-9160 ext. 311

SAN FRANCISCO – On Thursday, October 30, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) approved a $4.4 billion Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) that will upgrade the Hetch Hetchy Water System to enable it to withstand a major earthquake. By adopting the “Phased WSIP” alternative, the SFPUC also chose to cap water sales at current levels until at least 2018.

“This is a major victory for the wild and scenic Tuolumne River,” said Peter Drekmeier, Bay Area Program Director for the Tuolumne River Trust. “A year ago we faced a proposal to divert an additional 25 million gallons of water per day from the Tuolumne – enough to fill 1,000 swimming pools. We’ve come a long way.”

“This is the first time there’s been a cap on water sales,” said Jennifer Clary, Water Policy Analyst for Clean Water Action. “We've changed the way the SFPUC does business.”

By capping sales for 10 years, the SFPUC and its wholesale customers will have time to reexamine water demand projections, ramp up conservation and recycling programs, study the potential impacts of climate change on future river flows, and complete a biological study of the Tuolumne that will help determine when additional water should be released from Hetch Hetchy to benefit wildlife and vegetation downstream.

An overflow crowd attended the SFPUC hearing, with the vast majority speaking in support of the seismic upgrades combined with measures to protect the Tuolumne River and other local watersheds, including Alameda Creek, from which the SFPUC obtains 10% of its water. The Tuolumne provides 85% of SFPUC water.

The Phased WSIP still includes a provision that would allow the diversion of an additional 2 million gallons of water per day from the Tuolumne to fill reservoirs following extended droughts. However, the Commissioners made it clear they want to see the Tuolumne protected, and included several strongly worded amendments aimed at minimizing the need for additional diversions.

“The Commission heard our message loud and clear, and responded with additional measures to protect the Tuolumne through aggressive water conservation and recycling,” said Clary. “There also will be regular updates on projected water demand, which will allow us to identify potential threats to the River before they become problematic.”

“We’re pleased to see the SFPUC taking its role as a steward of the Tuolumne River seriously,” said Drekmeier.

CLICK HERE to become a member of the Tuolumne River Trust and support the important work we do throughout the watershed. The Trust is the only organization linking Bay Area, Central Valley, and Sierra water conservation issues. Our success and the health of the watershed is dependent on our members.

Send an email to jessie@tuolumne.org with "EMAIL ACTIVIST" as the subject heading and get up to date reports on news in the watershed and how you can help. You'll also receive the Trust's e-newsletter, the eCascade.

Do you know where your water comes from? Throughout the month of October Tuolumne River Trust has launched a cable tv advertising campaign to heighten the awareness of all those who drink water from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, and hence the Tuolumne River. You may see the ad yourself on cable stations such as CNN, Discovery, National Geographic, and Animal Planet, but get your sneak peak by CLICKING HERE.