South Sutter Water District transfer approved

The state Water Resources Control Board has approved a water transfer of 10,000 acre-feet from the South Sutter Water District to eight state water contractor agencies, over the protests of two environmental groups.

In letters sent before the approval came on July 1, the California Water Impact Network and the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance opposed the transfer. Members of the group contended doing so would have negative environmental affects and constituted a permanent move described as only temporary.

"Our organizations protest this transfer because we believe it does not serve the public interest, is contrary to the California Water and Public Resources Codes, and would have an adverse environmental impact," the impact network wrote in a June 2 letter.

In a response, the Trowbridge-based water district argued the claims were without merit and stated there was adequate oversight and enough experience from past practice to make the water transfer allowable.

"Relative to potential third-party impacts, the district's proposed 2010 water transfer will be conducted consistent with the Groundwater and Surface Water Monitoring and Reporting Program and Mitigation Plan developed coope atively with the Department of Water Resources," Sara Harper, an engineer working with the district, wrote in a response. "This plan was in place for the district's 2008 and 2009 water transfers, during which no third-party impacts were reported."

All but two of the water districts where water would be transferred are in either the southern San Joaquin Valley or in Southern California.