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Environment

Scientific Review Of Delta Ecosystem Expected

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says a scientific review of the Sacramento Bay Delta ecosystem may provide answers to some of California's water supply problems. The Delta is the source for about one-third of San Diego County's water.

Three years of drought and pumping restrictions to protect endangered fish in the Sacramento Bay Delta have combined to squeeze California's water supply.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said a panel from the National Academy of Sciences is expected to approve an independent scientific review of questions relating to the Delta.

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He said the review has two goals.

"The certainty and reliability of water supply for agriculture and other users that share the water," Salazar said. "And the second is how we restore what is a very damaged and over-stressed ecosystem in the Bay Delta."

He said the scientific findings are due by March 15th. Salazar said the report will look at whether there are ways to provide more water from the Delta without causing further environmental harm.

Scientific Review Of Delta Ecosystem Expected
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says a scientific review of the Sacramento Bay Delta ecosystem may provide answers to some of California's water supply problems. The Delta is the source for about two-thirds of San Diego County's water.