1989-154-Endorsing San Francisco Bay-Delta Water Quality StandardsRESOLUTION NO. 1989 -154
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
ENDORSING SAN FRANCISCO BAY -DELTA WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
WHEREAS, the State Water Resources Control Board ( SWRCB) has convened
the Bay -Delta Hearings, a multi -pbase proceeding designed to set new water quality
standards for the protection of beneficial uses in the San Francisco Bay - Sacramento /San
Joaquin Delta Estuary (Estuary); and
WHEREAS, beneficial uses for fresh water flowing into the Estuary include
municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses; navigation; recreation; fishery, wetland and
habitat protection; protection of the food chain; and the maintenance of the biologically
productive plume of water extending into the Pacific Ocean; and
WHEREAS, protection of these beneficial uses will require both substantial
freshwater inflows and local measures, including wetland restoration and reductions in the
discharge of pollutants into the Estuary; and
WHEREAS, the Estuary is a resource of national significance -- home to over
100 species of fish and 800,000 waterfowl; a stop -over on the migratory Pacific Flyway; and
the basis for major commercial fishing, sport fishing, maritime, recreational and tourist
industries; and
WHEREAS, the Estuary provides direct benefits to the Bay Area residents by
enhancing the attractiveness ad quality of life of the Bay Area and by protecting property
values; and
WHEREAS, current Delta salinity and flow standards are inadequate and have
failed to protect the Estuary; and
WHEREAS, the SWRCB staff released draft documents in November 1988
which contained improved flow standards and pumping limitations for the protection of
Delta fisheries in the spring, but which did not provide standards for the protection of
beneficial uses below the Delta - including Suisun, San Pablo and San Francisco Bays; and
WHEREAS, after pressure from water development interests, the SWRCB
withdrew the draft flow standards accorded the Delta for the spring months; and
Be
WHEREAS, the draft standards relax salinity standards for water drawn from
the Delta, reducing the quality of Delta drinking water and placing the Delta farms at risk;
and
WHEREAS, protection of the quality and reliability of urban water supplies is
compatible with adequate protection of the Estuary; and
WHEREAS, urban and agricultural conservation and voluntary water transfers
from agriculture can provide ample water for reasonable urban and environmental needs
without significant adverse impacts; and
WHEREAS, despite the demonstrated need of the Estuary for increased
freshwater flows, implementation of protective standards will not occur for several years.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Los Gatos urges
the State Water Resources Control Board to provide in its water quality control plan
adequate flow and salinity standards to protect all the beneficial uses of the San Francisco
Bay - Sacramento /San Joaquin Delta Estuary, giving great weight to:
protection and restoration of the integrity of the entire
estuarine ecosystem, not just selected parts and selected
species;
the continuing need of the Estuary for fresh water for
circulation, whatever pollution discharge reductions should
be achieved;
protection of the quality and reliability of urban water
supplies in ways which avoid environmental damage and
increased north -south tensions; and
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the State Water Resources Control Board, the San Francisco Estuary Project, and the
Committee for Water Policy Consensus.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town
of Los Gatos, California, held on the 5th day of September, 1989 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS
NAYES: COUNCILMEMBERS
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS
Thomas J. Ferrito
Robert L. Hamilton
Brent N. Ventura
Mayor Joanne Benjamin
None
I&@
Eric D. Carlson
SIGNED: ` t
OF THE TOWN O LOS GATOS
ATTEST:
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF S GATOS
MG090589.R2
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