Shortly after Westlands Water District (Westlands) announced its withdrawal from the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) process last week, the San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority (Authority) also formally withdrew its funding of the BDCP process. Westlands and the Authority, together irrigate more than 1.5 million acres of Central Valley farmland and both are major importers on Delta water.

Westlands and the Authority jumped ship, and took their money with them, when it became clear BDCP would not result in more water pumped from the Delta. Both argue that federal officials intend to reduce the amount of water they can divert from the delta; due to the mounting scientific evidence that continual increased exports form the Delta have resulted in its collapse and more fresh water needs to flow through the Delta.

Moving forward, it is crucial for the vitality of the Delta and the state of California, that Delta stakeholders put aside old political differences; and use the best science available to craft a plan which yields the protection of the Delta ecosystem and a reliable water supply.