[env-trinity] SF Chronicle Editorial- California Republicans'brazen water grab

[sandydenn@pulsarco.com]

Not ALL northern California water interests are "on board" with this legislation.  I really resent when writers will lump folks together just to make their own point.  There are those in Northern California who might lump all environmental or fishing groups into one mind set, but then there are those who approach things from what I consider a more "mature" position and realize that individual groups should be assesed individually, some are realistic and open to conversation, some are not. Issues should be addressed the same manner.  It would be great if some of these editorial writers would afford the same courtesy.   But thanks for sharing, it just convinces me that there needs to be a lot more real world education done, and less academic idealism promoted! 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Tom Stokely 
  To: env-trinity at velocipede.dcn.davis.ca.us 
  Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 11:11 AM
  Subject: [env-trinity] SF Chronicle Editorial- California Republicans'brazen water grab


  California Republicans' brazen water grab


  Thursday, February 16, 2012


  House Republicans are poised to pass legislation that would usurp California's ability to manage its own water supply, harm the San Francisco Bay Estuary ecosystem and drive California's salmon to extinction.

  Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Alpaugh (Tulare County), wrote the bill to reverse the way water is allocated in California. It essentially ensures water supplies for farmers by taking it from the state's native salmon, trout and other fisheries.

  Beyond that, it:

  -- Undermines water conservation efforts.

  -- Dries up a 40-mile stretch of the San Joaquin River - the state's second largest - by ending the restoration project that saw salmon returning two years ago for the first time in more than 60 years.

  -- Ends the Bay Delta Conservation Plan process but does nothing to address the problems of water supply and quality the plan seeks to address.

  In short, it promotes the agribusiness interests of Nunes' district over other interests and upends the collaborative efforts to distribute California's limited water supply fairly.

  Northern California water interests had objected to an earlier version because it required them to make up the water for the fish that Nunes' would deliver to San Joaquin Valley farms. The new version exempts them from providing water for fish, so they are on board.

  Democrat Rep. Jerry McNerney, who represents both San Joaquin Valley farmers and the delta, says this: "To steal water from one community to benefit another is unconscionable."

  We agree. The House should reject this brazen water grab.

  http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/02/16/EDTP1N811L.DTL 

  This article appeared on page A - 13 of the San Francisco Chronicle



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