Tuolumne River Trust urges joint study on water management plans with SFPUC

Concerns over water management took center stage at the recent San Francisco government meeting, as the policy director for the Tuolumne River Trust urged city leaders to address critical issues surrounding the stewardship of the Tuolumne River and the San Francisco Bay Delta. The director highlighted the urgent need for a joint study session with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to discuss the contentious Tuolumne River Voluntary Agreement (TRVA) and its implications for water quality.

The Tuolumne River is a vital source of water for San Francisco, yet the director criticized the SFPUC's policies, claiming they lack scientific backing and have contributed to ecological degradation. He emphasized that the Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan, adopted by the State Water Board in 2018, remains unimplemented due to ongoing lawsuits, including those from the SFPUC itself.

The director pointed out that the TRVA, previously dismissed for its insufficient scientific support, is back on the table at the insistence of Governor Newsom. He argued that time is of the essence, urging city officials to facilitate discussions that could clarify the scientific basis for water management decisions.

In a pointed critique, he accused the SFPUC of creating a crisis by overestimating drought conditions, despite having ample water storage. He called for a thorough examination of the competing water management strategies to ensure the health of the Tuolumne River and the Bay Delta.

As discussions continue, the call for collaboration between the city and the SFPUC highlights the pressing need for informed decision-making in water resource management, with potential implications for both ecological health and community water supply.