URGE THE GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT MID'S HEALTHY RIVERS AND LANDSCAPES VOLUNTARY AGREEMENT
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What our community is about to lose as the State Water Resources Control Board implements the Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan :
- Thousands of jobs in Merced County across multiple sectors
- Drinking water quality for 150,000 of our residents
- Up to $672 million in lost local economic activity
- Up to $167 million in local labor income
After years of discussions and planning, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWB) is proposing immediate water regulations, sending 30 billion gallons of MID Water to the Ocean, as part of MID’s federal relicensing that would have devastating consequences for our local economy and the local supply of drinking water. The benefit? According to documents from the State Water Board – it could be fewer than 500 new salmon per year on the Merced River for all the impacts to our community. The State Water Board is moving quickly to implement its Bay Delta Plan through its 401 Water Quality Certificate required as part of the federal relicensing process.
There’s a better way
Under the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, MID can help the State Water Board meet its objectives to increase salmon populations and flows of water to the Delta – while also protecting our community’s economy and water resources. MID has proposed a voluntary agreement through the program that provides increased flows down the Merced River along with measures to restore salmon habitat on the Merced River – but keeps enough of our water supply locally to continue farming and replenishing local drinking water supplies.
We need our community to urge the State Water Board to adopt a fair, science-based solution that protects both our environment and our community.
Learn more about how the Bay Delta Plan harms our community
The draft 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) for the relicensing of MID’s hydroelectric projects at New Exchequer and McSwain Dams threatens to:
- Disproportionately impact disadvantaged communities – Over 150,000 residents in the most severely disadvantaged area of the state relies on groundwater – from an already overdrawn aquifer – that is replenished by MID’s surface water from Lake McClure. Taking and wasting our surface water will decrease local drinking water quality supplies and worsen existing shortages.
- Impose unrealistic water temperature goals – The water temperature goals of the WQC are scientifically unattainable given the hydrologic realities of the Merced River system.
- Require flow releases without protection – MID would be forced to send 30 billion gallons of water downstream each year to the Bay Delta with no way to prevent unauthorized diversions by other water users. Even if there was a legitimate reason to take our water, the water will not get to where the state wants it to go!
- Jeopardize our local economy – The plan threatens more than $1.5 billion in economic activity, thousands of jobs, and the long-term viability of our community.
A Better Way Forward
MID has proposed a Healthy Rivers and Landscapes plan – a science-based and achievable alternative that balances environmental goals with community needs. This plan has already gained support from key state agencies and offers a realistic and common-sense approach to river health without devastating local families and businesses. MID proposes a combination of new flows down the river in concert with actions to improve salmon habitat.