This document summarizes the California Farm Water Coalition's position on various proposals to improve water supply reliability in California's Bay Delta region. It notes that the Coalition represents agricultural water users statewide. It criticizes a proposal by the Natural Resources Defense Council that would reduce agricultural water allocations, arguing this would force many farmers out of business without their support. The document also expresses concern that the NRDC's "portfolio" approach adds uncertainty and may prevent the San Luis Reservoir from filling reliably, compromising water supply. It concludes there is insufficient support to pay for the portfolio plan without buy-in from Central Valley Project agricultural water users.

1. Bay Delta Alternatives
Mike Wade
California Farm Water Coalition
March 28, 2013

2. CFWC Background
 Statewide organization formed in 1989 to provide fact-
based information on farm water issues to the public
 501 c 3 public benefit organization
 Members range from Redding to the Imperial Valley and
include irrigation and water districts, individual farmers
and farm-related businesses

3. Agriculture Needs Water to Thrive
 Farmers can’t control markets. They have to focus on
input costs, including reliable water costs.
 USDA’s 2005 nutrition guidelines say we would need an
additional 12.6 million acres of fruits and vegetables to
meet the recommended dietary needs of the public.
 It makes no sense to consider a plan that would take
more land out of production.

5. NRDC “Portfolio” Approach
 485,000 af spread across 1 million acres, 150,000 af less than what we have
today
 Ag’s water supply would shrink from today’s average of 35 percent allocation
down to 25 percent. And that reduction would cost $4.5 billion. Who wants
to pay for that?
 No ability to pay for a project
that will put farmers out of business
 Puts entire single tunnel, “portfolio”
approach in jeopardy
 Without CVP ag support, SWP costs are
$1.4 billion higher than BDCP
Irrig. AC - NRDC Portfolio
No Water Supply
485,000 af for ag contractors

6. San Luis Reservoir
 Won’t fill this year due to NRDC litigation on system
operation (biological opinions)
 “Portfolio” approach adds
uncertainty
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Pre NRDC BiOp
Litigation
Post NRDC BiOp
Litigation
NRDC "Portfolio"
How often will San Luis fill?

7. Conclusion
 Can’t solve statewide water supply reliability by
excluding a significant stakeholder
 Is there sufficient support to pay for “portfolio” plan
without CVP agriculture’s buy-in?
 Failure to act leaves water users with the status quo

8. Questions
farmwater.org