SITE INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE_2005-CURRENT

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0 "The DWR and the USBR are partially responsible for salinity problems in the southern Delta because of hydrologic changes that are caused by export pumping. Therefore, this order amends the export permits of the DWR and of the USBR to require the projects to take actions that will achieve the benefits of the permanent barriers in the southern Delta to help meet the 1995 Bav-Delta Plan's interior Delta salinity objectives by April 1 2005 Until then the DWR and the USBR will be required to meet a salinity requirement of 1.0 mmhos/cm If after actions are taken to achieve the benefits of barriers it is determined that it is not feasible to fully implement the objectives the SWRCB will consider revising the interior Delta salinity objectives when it reviews the 1995 Bay-Delta Plan. . . ." (Revised Water Right Decision 1641, pp. 86-88, emphasis added.) Revised Water Right Decision 1641 summarized the State Board's conclusions regarding salinity problems in the southern Delta as follows: ". . . Salinity problems in the southern Delta result from low flows in the San Joaquin River and discharges of saline drainage water to the river. The actions of the CVP are the principal causes of the salinity concentrations exceeding the objectives at Vernalis. Downstream of Vernalis, salinity is influenced by San Joaquin River inflow, tidal action, diversions of water by the SWP, CVP, and local water users, agricultural return flows, and channel capacity. Measures that affect circulation in the Delta, such as barriers, can help improve the salinity concentrations." (Revised Water Right Decision 1641,p. 89.) Although the water right decision did not amend the water quality objectives in the 1995 Delta Plan, the decision defines the responsibilities of the Department of Water Resources and the Bureau of Reclamation for implementation of several provisions of the plan, including the southern Delta EC objectives. Footnote 5 to Table 2 of the decision provides that: "The 0.7 EC objective becomes effective on April 1, 2005. The DWR and USBR shall meet 1.0 EC at these stations year round until April 1, 2005. The 0.7 EC objective is replaced by the 1.0 EC objective from August after April 1, 2005 if permanent barriers are constructed or equivalent measures are implemented in the southern Delta and an operations plan that reasonably protects southern Delta agriculture is prepared by the DWR and the USBR and approved by the Executive Director of the SWRCB. The SWRCB will review the salinity objectives for the southern Delta in the next review of the Bay-Delta objectives following construction of the barriers." (Revised Water Right Decision 1641, p. 182.) The most recent State Board action with respect to the EC water quality objectives in the southern Delta was adoption of State Board Resolution No. 2004-0062 on 9.