Miller presses Pombo to call probe into the ecological collapse of Delta

By Mike Taugher
Sunday, July 31, 2005

Rep. George Miller has called for congressional hearings into the Delta's ecological collapse, saying lawmakers should get answers about what happened and determine if state and federal agencies are capable of responding to the unprecedented crisis.

In a letter to Rep. Richard Pombo, chairman of the committee with authority over federal water operations in the Delta, Miller said hearings are necessary because questions have been raised about the actions of federal agencies in the Delta at a time when "the Bay-Delta ecosystem is experiencing an ecological crisis at levels never previously experienced."

"We have an obligation to find out what happened, impose accountability and design appropriate solutions -- for the benefit of all those in California who depend on the health of the Delta," wrote Miller, D-Martinez.

A spokesman for Pombo said the Tracy Republican had not yet seen the letter and no decision had been made about whether to hold hearings.

"He still has not seen Mr. Miller's request but will certainly give it all the consideration it deserves in due course," said Pombo spokesman Brian Kennedy.

Pombo has been developing possible revisions to the Endangered Species Act and has been busily involved in the recently passed energy bill, but so far has not commented publicly on the Delta crisis, which is largely in his district.

"The fact of the matter is no one knows why this fish crash is happening," Kennedy said. "There are millions of dollars of studies in the works. The chairman's policy staff is following those developments very closely."

An environmental group's lobbyist was critical of Pombo's lack of response.

"On this tragedy, he is silent," Susan Holmes, senior legislative representative for Earthjustice said in an e-mailed statement.

Miller asked that a hearing cover four areas:

What happened in the Delta and when did state and federal agencies become aware of the problem;
Why were lawmakers not informed of the possible crisis during a period when they were considering legislation affecting the Delta;
Is the state and federally funded program called CalFed, which is supposed to manage environment and water supply issues in the Delta, capable of responding to the problem;
And can federal agencies be certain fish will be protected in light of a report this month from a federal inspector general that found irregularities in a document that cleared the way for more water to be sent south from the Delta.

To see a copy of Rep. George Miller's letter, go to www.contracostatimes.com