Water supply
Ag prospers, but Valley’s crop of social ills persists
Column
By Bill McEwen
From Fresno Bee – Saturday, July 9, 2011
Coalition response...This article is disappointing to read because of the false picture it paints of San Joaquin Valley farmers as being uncaring about their workers and squirreling away huge profits while not contributing to the social malaise affecting the valley. Farmers do care about the lives of their workers and their families; many of these workers have been employed for over 10, 15 and 20 years by the same farmer. This doesn’t happen if a callous disregard exists toward the worker, despite the level of mechanization that has developed.
The writer’s attempt to portray a shifting of farm revenue from the valley to “corporate headquarters and investors outside of the Valley” belies the fact that only 7% of the 81,000 farms in California are corporate-owned. Farmers rely on their local communities not just for a source of employment but also supplies that keep their farms operational.
This writer has been with The Bee for over 30 years and it is sad to realize that in all that time he has failed to understand the important role that farming plays in the life and economy of the San Joaquin Valley.
Delta
Carnage at the Delta death pumps continues unabated
Blog
By Dan Bacer
From IndyBay Media – Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Coalition response...This tired old drum will collapse pretty soon if critics of the flow of water from the Delta to 25 million Californians and several million acres of farmland that grows food and fiber products continue to beat it in relation to the reported number of fish taken at the pumps. Biologists have explained this spike in numbers as a result of weather conditions. These biologists knew that the take number would increase in proportion to the overall population explosion of these species. Biologists have recorded the ups and downs of the take numbers at the pumps over the years in relation to weather conditions and the species are still around. No alarm has been sounded over these numbers other than by those individuals and groups who continue to talk among themselves.
WATER SUPPLY
Agricultural Water Stewardship
Report
By California Roundtable on Water and Food Supply
From Aquafornia – July 13, 2011
State Water Board General Fund cuts Result in Increased Fees
Story
From ACWA – Tuesday, July 12, 2011
GROUNDWATER
Groundwater and Secession in California
Blog
From California Greening – Tuesday, July 12, 2011
QUANTIFICATION SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
IID could bring in “fresh blood” for second opinion on QSA
Story
From IV Press – Wednesday, July 13, 2011
COURTS
Agricultural water discharge approval is challenged
Story
From Central Valley Business Times – Tuesday, July 12, 2011
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