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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