Coalition response...California farm water success stories can be found all over the state. The California Farm Water Coalition has chronicled many and now NRCS has joined the effort. With their own online channel NRCS promotes the work they do with farmers to improve water management. Find out more by visiting www.farmwater.org
Coalition response...Regions throughout California, not just San Diego, are continually striving to secure reliable water supplies for the future. The cost of new water is a significant factor when searching for new supplies. However, the author presents a comparison between water use in Imperial Valley and San Diego and seemingly suggests that the value of farm products between the two regions is a factor on the use of water. Such a comparison is misleading. California agriculture is diverse and the value of different crops varies widely. Small changes in crop production based on perceived water/crop value can have enormous effects on the market value for those crops, according to a recent study by the Center for Agricultural Business at CSU, Fresno. Water use and crop production decisions are most appropriately made at the local level by the people who farm the land and who hold the rights to the water they use.
Coalition response...The claims included in this article are wide-ranging and without merit. DWR officials have repeatedly stated their commitment to developing a document that will serve all of California, including those interests in the Delta and its ecosystem. If any statement is made...if any report is written...if any action is taken that is not lockstep in line with the viewpoints of these critics to the BDCP, then they are automatically opposed. It doesn't matter that Ramos' experience and knowledge will make the final BDCP a valuable document for all Californians. It doesn't matter that the decision-making process remains with the State and federal agencies overseeing the BDCP.
Even the weak attempt to include former Judge Wanger in their criticism is baseless. Remember, it was Judge Wanger who ruled against Westlands Water District and told federal agencies to strengthen protections for the Delta smelt. Consider these comments from Bill Jennings, executive director of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance: "He's done all that could be asked of a human being. The decisions by a number of judges reflect their political opinions -- I don't get that from Judge Wanger."
Also, claims of "drainage impaired land laced with selenium and other toxic salts" is really getting old. These lands produce more than a billion dollars of fresh fruits and vegetables each year. How would this be possible if the land was so "impaired" with toxic minerals?
Voters are willing to step up and spend money when they have an interest in the outcome. Huffman is wrong when he says the water bond can't pass. Voters have been willing in the past to commit to spending if the issue is important to them and a dependable water supply is one of those issues. A recent Field Poll http://bit.ly/tePQot shows strong support from voters on a bond designed to provide dependable water supplies for farms, homes and businesses - something the economy needs to get jobs rolling again.
