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water supply picture. She discussed stresses on species and said uncertain is the impact of the water project pumps. Other threats which are non-regulatory are the deteriorating water quality in the Delta, climate change, increased rainfall, increased salinity, multiple fault lines which run through or near the Delta and earthquake risks. Regarding legal aspects and the Wanger decision, a Federal judge ruled on a biological opinion that was meant to help the endangered Smelt to survive. She explained the operation of the pumps out to sea and based on the tide flows, it has created a saline estuary. When they pump the water through the Delta, it is the strength of the pumps that moves the water which tends to create reverse flows in two channels which become problematic for the Delta Smelt. They get caught, pulled in and killed. The Wanger ruling said, based on certain ecological conditions in the Delta favorable to the Smelt and because of the impacts of the pumps on the Smelt, water supplies need to be cut back at various times of the year. It is about a 30% supply cut to the system. For Zone 7, it would equate over time to 6,000 acre feet of water throughout their planned build-out. If restrictions stay in place, by 2030, they would have a deficit of about 7-9% of water supplies, with further impacts during drought years. She said voluntary water conservation could help them recover supply or deal with cuts should they be prolonged, there are opportunities to develop other water supplies such as recycled water, they are drilling additional ground water wells to help protect the system against unplanned outages of the State water project as well as some supply distribution improvements to move the water from the west to the east side, and are re-evaluating local storage options. They are working to resolve the issue by working with the resource agencies to come up with a different way to plan habitat programs and deal with water and fish conflicts called, the Operational Criteria and Planning process, which would go into effect in late 2008 after the pumping cutback expires. The plan would provide regulatory coverage through 2010; long-term stabilization focuses on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan which is a habitat plan at the federal level and a natural communities conservation plan at the State level. Ms. Namath said interim actions to help stabilize fish and water supplies include scientific research on Smelt, some work to restore Smelt habitat in the north part of the Delta, and opportunities to prevent the spread of invasive species to the food network of Delta fish. She presented near-term water supply efforts such as dual conveyance in the Delta, and said the Department of Water Resources has initiated the EIR process for the Bay Delta Conservation Plan. Mayor Hosterman questioned the impacts to Pleasanton and confirmed the City would have a 35% water allocation if the current weather pattern continued. Supplies can be carried over in years the City does not use it to move it into the system, and Ms. Namath estimated that they will be able to meet supply needs with surface water. She said what the ruling does for Pleasanton in the near-term is it forces Zone 7 to rely on drought supplies into the future in a way they had not anticipated and water conservation would need to be instituted by the community through an additional 10%. There are many small ways to conserve water such as checking toilet tank leaks, watering during the cool parts of the day, low flow toilets and shower heads, high efficiency washing machines, and they are looking at tools to irrigate more efficiently. Public Works Director Wilson said the City will have on its website a water conservation guide and said staff is also working with the Tri-Valley Water Retailers Group and will put out a joint message to talk about conservation efforts. City Council Minutes 4 March 18, 2008