[env-trinity] Letter to Sacramento Bee re. "Valley water deals ripped, " 8/24

[Daniel Bacher]

To: Letters Editor, Sacramento Bee

From: Dan Bacher


Sweetheart Water Deals At Expense of Public

Re: "Valley water deals ripped," 8/24:  Rep. George Miller, House Democratic 
Leader Nancy Pelosi and four other House Democrats must be commended for 
their letter accusing the Bush administration of rushing to broker 
sweetheart water deals with Central Valley water districts preceding the 
November election.

This attempt to curry favor with Central Valley agribusiness is just one in 
a series of environmental decisions by the Bush administration that have 
sacrificed fish and wildlife for cynical political objectives. This is the 
same administration that brought us the Klamath River fish kill of September 
2002, where as many as 68,000 salmon died in low, warm flows because of a 
change in water policy that favored subsidized potato growers over salmon, 
the Klamath River tribes and recreational and commercial fishermen.

The Bureau of Reclamation is pushing for new 25-year water contracts with 
agribusiness, but has only offered the public a brief window of opportunity, 
from July 2 to August 31, to comment on the deals. I completely support 
Miller’s request for an extension of the public comment period until 60 days 
after the new environmental analysis is completed.

Dan Bacher, Sacramento