Regarding an editorial in The Record ("State must pump out a solution," last Tuesday), let me add perspective on what the state is doing to assure environmental safeguards for Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta fish while providing water to 25 million Californian consumers and farmers.
Department of Water Resources officials appealed an Alameda County court order to shut down State Water Project pumps unless additional authorization was received for the "incidental take" of Delta smelt and chinook salmon.
Our position is that the state historically has been in compliance with endangered species law, a position we feel will be vindicated on appeal.
However, recognizing changing conditions and new science on the Delta ecosystem, our department is working with state and federal wildlife agencies on an updated biological opinion that will be used to guide future decisions on Delta water operations.
In the meantime, we voluntarily will take action to reduce impacts to fish from water-project operations.
It should be noted that the department has been taking aggressive actions to help protect Delta smelt and so far this year hasn't taken any Delta smelt at its pumping plant.
While pumping is a factor in the changing Delta environment, it's merely one of many.
Pesticides, chemical and agricultural waste, invasive species and human population increases also are relevant and can't be ignored.
Our department has a long-term commitment to safeguarding the Delta.
The Record's continued coverage of this important issue is appreciated.
Do The Record's restaurant reviewers consider the food server, bus person, dishwasher and kitchen staff when they write articles that are almost always negative?
These people work hard and might have families to support.
Let's have some positive reviews and nice things to say for a change.
Anyone can find fault with any place if they try hard enough.
I get really upset when I see a person who can walk just fine parked in a handicap parking spot with either a plate or a tag on the rearview mirror.
Who is enforcing this law? I've seen obese people with a limp using these parking spots. They shouldn't be.
Someone should be enforcing this law and overseeing doctors who endorse these permits.
The sign shows a person in a wheelchair, and that's what the parking spot is intended for.
In the past, work being done on Stockton's streets often was uneven or soft after one day, making dips, bumps and hazards.
Those repaving the streets now are doing a marvelous job. It's about time Stockton residents had decent streets to travel.