The Center for Environmental Science, Accuracy, & Reliability (CESAR) has filed a writ of mandate to to stop the Department of Water Resources from constructing a rock barrier in the Delta until the agency has complied with the requirements of California’s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The documents say that the drought barrier will have a significant effect on the environment by increasing salinity in unprotected areas, depleting reservoirs, and harming the Delta smelt. The Department made no threshold determination, provided no notice, no opportunity for public comment, and no review of the project, and as a result, failed to proceed in the manner required by law, the documents allege. Additionally, the drought barriers will jeopardize the federally-protected Delta smelt, enough to constitute a ‘take’ under federal law, the documents say.
CESAR is requesting a ‘stay, temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, and permanent prohibitory injunction’ to prohibit DWR from proceeding with the project until they have complied with all federal and state law requirements, including CEQA.
For more information …
- Click here for the Writ of Mandate.
- Click here for the statement from the president of CESAR (no name given).
- Click here for more about CESAR.
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