State Water Board Accused of Favoring Farmers Over Fish

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance has filed a complaint against the State Water Resources Control Board, claiming it’s violated the constitution by favoring farmers over fish.

It alleges that the board and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation have acted against the Bay Delta Water Quality Control plan, as well as the Clean Water and Endangered Species acts, through the Central Valley Project.

The alliance claims the practices have virtually driven the delta smelt to extinction.

They’re calling for further reductions in water use by agriculture, much of which is already at a zero allocation.