River restoration affects more than just the natural environment. On today’s episode of What Doesn’t Kill You, learn about one of the most essential restoration projects in the country right now, The San Joaquin River Restoration Program, as host Katy Keiffer chats with Monty Schmitt, Senior Scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council and the San Joaquin River Restoration Project Manager, Water Program. The SJRRP is a direct result of a Settlement reached in September 2006 on an 18-year lawsuit to provide sufficient fish habitat in the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam near Fresno, California, by the U.S. Departments of the Interior and Commerce, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Friant Water Users Authority (FWUA). The Settlement received Federal court approval in October 2006. Federal legislation was passed in March 2009 authorizing Federal agencies to implement the Settlement. Learn more about the project, the river and all of the issues that surround it. This program was brought to you by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

“Two thirds of all Californians get their water from the Bay Delta.” [09:00]

“The San Joaquin River is arguably one of the most degraded large rivers in the country. It’s also one of the hardest working because of how much of the water is diverted for various purposes.” [24:00]

“We have to do a much better job managing our limited resource and be prepared for droughts and have better adaptation methods.” [31:00]

–Monty Schmitt on What Doesn’t Kill You