Farm Water News: News articles and links from Monday, May 7, 2012

Delta

Different Deltas: Q&A with Barry Nelson of the Natural Resources Defense Council

Radio interview

From KQED - Friday, May 4, 2012

Coalition response...It is puzzling why Barry Nelson continues to claim that sending water from the Delta to 25 million Californians and the land that produces a healthy and safe supply of food is the "core problem" for the Delta's problems. A diverse group of scientists with the National Research Council recently announced that it is a wide array of factors that are impacting the Delta's fishery population, including predator fish, toxic discharges of ammonia from cities into the Delta's waterways, and ocean conditions that hamper habitat and an adequate food supply for salmon. Nelson's worn out, pump-centric argument hasn't produced the ecosystem improvements that are needed, despite decades of water supply restrictions on farms, homes and businesses. The NRC scientists' suggestion that seeking an answer to the Delta's problems requires a multi-pronged approach aimed at all of the stressors. In the words of the NRC, to single out only one stressor for action is to invite failure.

KQED's interview with Jason Peltier provides a valuable understanding of farmers and their approach to water flowing from the Delta. The public would benefit from this interview at http://science.kqed.org/quest/2012/05/04/q-a-with-jason-peltier-of-wwd/.

PEOPLE

Tulare County water manager to lead statewide coalition

Story

From Visalia Times-Delta - Saturday, May 5, 2012

'Whistleblower' will speak about Klamath dam removals; scientist's advice opposed their removal

Story

From Redding Record-Searchlight - Friday, May 4, 2012

WATER SUPPLY

La Nina is over, La Nada may be next

Story

From LA Times - Saturday, May 5, 2012

Water's Rising Value: MID weighs lucrative deals against ag concerns