Money earmarked for Delta restoration

State officials have reached an agreement that will provide an estimated $188 million over 10 years to restore habitat for imperiled fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

The deal between the state Water Resources and Fish and Game departments binds the water agency to certain restoration activities to satisfy state and federal environmental laws. State water contractors, who buy Delta water from DWR, will pay for those projects.

Among the first projects will be restoration of Prospect Island, near Rio Vista, as tidal wetland habitat. DWR acquired the 1,253-acre island from the federal government at no cost earlier this year.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/10/28/3140329/money-earmarked-for-delta-restoration.html#mi_rss=Capitol%20and%20California#ixzz13mztyb1J

San Joaquin River Restoration getting some thumbs up

By MARK GROSSI
The Fresno Bee

Swept along by a drought-busting winter, the San Joaquin River restoration is getting good reviews at the end of its first year — even from one vocal farm critic.

The stormy season helped officials reconnect the long-dry river with the Pacific Ocean and ease fears of farmers who lost irrigation water for the restoration.

Some of the restoration water was recaptured and sent back to farms. Plus, farmers bought a bounty of cheap river water from excess snowmelt.

Read more: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2010/09/27/1585843/san-joaquin-river-restoration.html#ixzz10qoENkyN