Monday, June 27, 2011

News articles and links from June 27, 2011

Water supply

What really happened during state’s drought?

Viewpoint

By Juliet Christian-Smith/Morgan C. Levy

From Sacramento Bee – Sunday, June 26, 2011

Coalition response...This attempt to gloss over the unemployment impacts felt in rural Westside communities of Fresno County by claiming these numbers are less than countywide construction unemployment is misleading. In a March 30, 2009, article by Fresno Bee reporter Chris Collins, he writes “Normally during a tough farming season, unskilled workers on the west side can fall back on construction jobs. But with the sour economy, that is not an option.”

Construction job losses were not related to water supply cuts or the drought. Comparing them to farm-related job losses is irresponsible.

Farming is the economic engine in these rural communities. Attempts to discount that fact by claiming that unemployment in towns like Mendota was tied to a downturn in construction is a disservice not only to the public but especially those who lost jobs.

Don’t let growers grab water with their distortions

Viewpoint

By NickDi Croce

From Sacramento Bee – Sunday, June 26, 2011

Coalition response...This author begins with the claim that “California farmers already use 80 percent of California’s developed water supply...” That is a false statement and it is not just farm water groups who argue with this statement. According to information published by the Department of Water Resources in its California Water Plan, agriculture accounts for 41 percent of the developed water supply. Eleven percent goes to urban users and the lion’s share – 48 percent – is reserved for “dedicated environmental purposes.”

DiCroce should know that. He was on the California Water Plan Public Advisory Committee that helped write it. His careless or perhaps intentional omission of that simple fact leaves into question the rest of the claims he includes in his piece.

Delta

Conservation groups contest basis of Westlands Delta smelt lawsuit

Blog

By Dan Bacher

From IndyBay Media – Saturday, June 25, 2011

More on fallowing in Westlands

Blog

From Restore the Delta – Saturday, June 25, 2011

Restore the Delta exposes more evidence of Westlands land retirement

Blog

By Dan Bacher

From IndyBay Media – Friday, June 24, 2011

(The following response is posted to the above three articles.)

Coalition response...The silence by the news media in reporting of a questionable study by a Santa Cruz group speaks volumes about the validity of the study. The only groups who are championing its findings are those who have worked to disrupt the production of food and fiber products by farmers along the Westside of the San Joaquin Valley. Quoting individuals who claim that fallowing of Westside acres is not affected by reduced water deliveries ignores common sense.

Splittail and salmon losses could be 5 to 10 times ‘salvage’ numbers

Blog

By Dan Bacher

From IndyBay Media – Friday, June 24, 2011

Coalition response...This blogger presents the impression that salmon losses to predators are somehow connected to Delta pumping facilities. Numerous studies, some even quoted in this article, clearly point out that predators represent a substantial impact on salmon losses. Predators such as striped bass eagerly await juvenile salmon during their journey through the Delta to the ocean.

In a March 2009 article in Outdoor News, author JD Richie describes salmon predation in the Delta this way: “The peak of the baby salmon’s downstream journey corresponds with the spring spawning run of striped bass. Somewhere along the line, the two crash headlong into one another. It’s a one-sided blood bath, and when the spray and foam settles, the stripers emerge fat and happy while the Chinook suffer heavy losses.”

WATER SUPPLY

Full steam ahead on water pipeline

Story

From Desert Sun – Sunday, June 26, 2011

Scientists find holes in Klamath River dam removal plan

Story

From LA Times – Saturday, June 25, 2011

An end to emptiness: Lake Oroville reaches capacity

Story

From Oroville Mercury-Register – Saturday, June 25, 2011

Population and water uses

Blog

From California Greening – Saturday, June 25, 2011

Tug-of-war over Don Pedro Reservoir relicensing

Story

From Modesto Bee – Friday, July 24, 2011

DELTA

Conservations on the Delta

Editorial

From The Record – Monday, June 27, 2011

Delta canal’s estimated ag threat revised

Story

From The Record – June 25, 2011

Supreme Court asked to hear challenge to Delta smelt water-pumping restrictions

Press Release

From Pacific Legal Foundation – Friday, June 24, 2011

Environmental Groups Respond to Pacific Legal Foundation on Delta Smelt Lawsuit

Press Release

From C-Win – Friday, June 24, 2011

FISHERIES

Klamath deals already producing results

Opinion

By Dean Brockbank, PacificCorp Energy

From Redding Record Searchlight – Monday, June 27, 2011

CONGRESS

McClintock vows to protect Norcal water rights in wake of bill threat

Story

From Auburn Journal – Sunday, June 26, 2011

Water, Water Everywhere

Opinion

From Vacaville Reporter – Sunday, June 26, 2011

Water grabs are an age-old California tradition

Editorial

From SJ Mercury News – Sunday, June 26, 2011

McClintock defends himself

Letter

From Sacramento Bee – Sunday, June 26, 2011

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House effort harms region

Letter

From Sacramento Bee – Sunday, June 26, 2011

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