Delta smelt sampling indicates 'potential disaster'

By Mike Taugher
Friday, October 28, 2005

In yet another sign of the depth of the Delta's ecological crisis, the population of Delta smelt has fallen to a new record low, according to results from the first two months of fall fish sampling.

The results were released by an environmental group Thursday after receiving them from state biologists. The survey has two months to go, and it is possible that the numbers could improve.

But the poor showing so far is consistent with a steep downward slide that began about three years ago. The bad news follows record lows reported last year and this summer.

"This fish could be extinct in a year or two," said Tina Swanson, a senior scientist at the Bay Institute, an environmental research and advocacy group. "The level of concern should be screamingly high."

The continued decline of Delta smelt, which scientists have not yet been able to explain, is fueling alarm about not just the smelt but also other fish that live in the Delta.

Earlier this year, scientists announced that several species of fish that live in the Delta's open waters were in steep decline. Delta smelt and young-of-the-year striped bass fell to record lows last fall, but threadfin shad and longfin smelt were also very low.

A $1.7 million scientific investigation was launched to try to determine the most likely cause of the collapse. Scientists do not expect to have a firm answer this year, but they hope to focus their inquiries more narrowly next year.

Meanwhile, a state government watchdog agency met Thursday for the third time in its inquiry into how to reorganize the agencies set up to improve the Delta's ecosystem and stabilize the water supplies that flow from it. Despite the fact that the Delta is a drinking-water source for 23 million Californians, the deep problems it faces have not yet gotten widespread attention.

Among the problems mentioned at Thursday's Little Hoover Commission hearing was this: The Delta needs a better mascot.

Delta smelt, though a key indicator of the Delta's health, hardly stokes public passion.

The commission heard from representatives of state and federal ecosystem restoration projects that have had success -- in part because of symbols that resonate with the public.

In Florida, they have the romantically named Everglades and alligators.

The Chesapeake Bay has its oystermen and commercial fisheries.

And Lake Tahoe has its legendary clarity.

In each, "You have clearly definable symbols," said Commissioner Daniel Hancock.

Commissioner Mitch Mitchell, added, "Everybody in Florida is on the same page. Everybody in California is trying to figure out what the Bay-Delta is."

Not only that, but the program set up to address the Delta's water supply and environmental problems has the numbingly bureaucratic name of "CalFed."

That program is overseen by the California Bay-Delta Authority, which commissioners repeatedly noted has no authority at all.

Without a better PR strategy for the Delta, commissioners said, politicians will not follow through to ensure the problems get fixed, commissioners said.

"If there's not a long-term plan that comes from the people, what difference does it make" what government reforms are implemented? asked Commissioner Stanley Zax.

"The people of California have seen energy shortages," Zax added. "They don't know about water."

Among the other shortcomings mentioned Thursday:

€ No one person or agency has the authority and the responsibility for making important policy calls. The state may need a "water czar," commissioners suggested.

€ The state's congressional delegation is not unified, making it impossible to get congressional support and the support of federal agencies.

€ Southern Californians have little connection to the Delta, even though 25 percent of their water comes from it.

€ There is no stable, long-term financing or public education strategy for Delta and water issues.

CalFed is beset with several management problems in addition to the fact that the Delta ecosystem is in collapse.

It is beginning to run out of money and has no long-term funding plan. It is also losing support from a variety of interests.

And an appeals court recently overturned the program's environmental documentation, saying planners improperly assumed the Delta could continue to slake Southern California's growing thirst despite the potentially severe environmental impact of doing so.

On Thursday, the state petitioned for a rehearing.

"We have a potential disaster on our hands," said Commissioner Welton Mansfield.

Mike Taugher covers natural resources. Reach him at 925-943-8257 or mtaugher@cctimes.com.