Farm Water News: News articles and links from Aug. 2, 2012

Delta

The Great California Water War of 2012?

Opinion

From LA Daily News - Monday, July 30, 2012

CFWC posted a response to this opinion article that was included in yesterday's News Line. Barbara Barrigan-Parilla of Restore the Delta commented on CFWC's post with the following:

"Westlands growers contribute less than .3% to the state economy, but they along with other westside water districts and Kern County growers use 70% of the water taken from the Delta. But LA rate payers will be expected to foot the bill for the project and not receive any additional water. The entire state has been subsidizing these growers with water for far too long. And worst, the project will destroy prime Delta farmland to promote irrigating drainage impaired lands in the San Joaquin Valley." Here is CFWC's response to Barrigan-Parilla that was posted earlier this morning to the LA Daily News---

Coalition response...Restore the Delta and Barbara Barrigan-Parilla are fundamentally wrong in their criticism about the value of agricultural production compared to water use. The value of the food produced with an acre-foot of water might be considerably less than the value of other consumer products, such as computers or solar panels, but who is the beneficiary? The people who buy the food! Isn't it great that food costs are so low in the United States? Compared to 28 other high income countries, U.S. families pay almost 40 percent less in disposable income for food than families do elsewhere. California farmers are among the most efficient food producers in the world and the westside is a leader in irrigation efficiency. Consumers want food produced locally. The alternative is increased dependence on other countries, higher costs and less control over pesticide use and worker protections. Why anyone or any organization would actively campaign against certain California farmers when they're among the ones feeding the rest of us is beyond me.

WATER SUPPLY

PLF petitions feds to end ESA listing of the Orca in the Pacific Northwest

Press release

From Pacific Legal Foundation - Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012

Principles of water group supported; concerns remain

Story

From Chico Enterprise-Record - Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012

Westlands farmers bank on Delta House aspirants

Blog

By Josh Richman

From Political Blotter - Tuesday, July 31, 2012

WATER QUALITY