CA State Water Contractors Comments on USFWS Decision Not To List Sacramento Splittail as Threatened Species.

Business Editors

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 2003

Statement of John Coburn, General Manager, State Water Contractors On The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Decision Not To List the Sacramento Splittail as a Threatened Species Under the Federal Endangered Species Act.

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has made the correct decision in determining that the Sacramento splittail is not in any danger of extinction and does not require protection under the Endangered Species Act.

"We're pleased that the USFWS, after a lengthy review and comment period, has based this decision on sound science. Our independent analysis several years ago demonstrated that the splittail was not in decline, and was actually more abundant in recent years than in most years in which its population had been surveyed. The USFWS review has now come to the same conclusion.

"The State Water Contractors will continue to work with state and federal fishery agencies and other interests within the CALFED Bay-Delta process to develop the long-term programs that will provide both a healthy ecosystem and ensure adequate water supplies."

The State Water Contractors represents 27 public agencies with water supply contracts with the State Water Project. The State Water Project provides water to 22 million Californians throughout the state, and supplies irrigation for 750,000 acres of farmland.