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Public commentators urge SFPUC to back stronger Tuolumne flows in State Water Board plan
Summary
Seven public speakers urged the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to support stronger flow protections in the State Water Board's Bay-Delta Plan, citing research that calls for 60% unimpaired flows and asking the commission not to oppose the board's proposal.
SAN FRANCISCO
Public comment at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on July 10 centered on the State Water Board's Bay-Delta Plan update and how much of the Tuolumne River's unimpaired flow should be left to protect fish and ecosystem health. Multiple speakers urged the commission to support, or at minimum not oppose, the board's proposal rather than aligning with federal or other opposition.
The most direct appeal came from Cindy Charles, conservation chair for the Golden West Women Fly Fishers, who said the State Water Board's recommendation of 40 percent unimpaired flow "does not go far enough" and urged the SFPUC "not to oppose the water board's modest plan." Dave Warner, representing environmental and commercial-fishing interests, asked the commission to hold off on any comment letters to the state water board until outside analysts have had an opportunity to consult further with the study authors.
Speakers cited scientific and public-opinion data to back stronger flows. Peter Dreckmire of the Tuolumne River Trust shared a 402-voter San Francisco survey showing broad support for measures to protect and restore the Tuolumne and the Bay. Mark Gonzales and others argued that scientific work supports a 60-percent target if the goal is to restore native fish populations.
Ian Wren, representing San Francisco Baykeeper and the League of Conservation Voters, framed the choice as a leadership test and urged the SFPUC "at a minimum" not to align itself with the Trump administration in opposing the State Water Board and to pursue flows above the current 40 percent objective.
Why it matters: The Bay-Delta Plan sets flow objectives that affect downstream ecosystems, water quality and regional water management. The commission's decision whether to comment publicly could influence state and regional coordination on flow targets and conservation measures.
What officials said: Commissioners asked staff whether the Bay-Delta project would be scheduled for public discussion; staff indicated the subject would also be discussed in closed session today and that the commission could choose to hold an open hearing. Public commenters asked that any substantive commission-level discussion occur before the July 27 public-comment deadline on the State Water Board's final environmental document.
Next steps: Multiple speakers requested that the commission agendize the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan for formal consideration at a future public meeting; staff and commissioners indicated they would consider scheduling that discussion prior to the state's July 27 comment deadline.
