Delta

Bad science leads to bad policy, no matter your political beliefs
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By Peter Gleick

Coalition response...We agree with with the points Peter Gleick makes in this column about the pervasive use of bad science. Another example of this exhibited by federal agencies is the rule making that has reduced pumping in the Sacramento-San Joaquin river Delta to supposedly protect fish species. Former federal Judge Oliver Wanger consulted with other scientists during his deliberations before ruling that the biological opinions governing the pumping of water through the Delta was "bad science" and ordered that they be rewritten. It was amazing to read that 10 days after Wanger spoke from the bench on the conduct of the two scientists instrumental in writing the rules, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service honored these same scientists with achievement awards, including cash. It makes you wonder how serious federal agencies are about using good science.

This action by FWS mirrors the National Park Service efforts relating to the oyster farm that the author writes about. NPS ignores other important studies in an attempt to push through their own agenda.

It is not often that we agree with the author but his call to reign in federal agencies that base their actions on bad science is commendable.

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