Wednesday, July 18, 2012

News articles and links from July 18, 2012


Water supply

Editorial
From LA Times - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Coalition response...Suggesting that San Joaquin Valley farmers are damaging the environment with "polluted runoff and concentrated metals and minerals" exhibits a lack of understanding. If farmers do not take care of their lands then they are out of business. Farmers are complying with regulations regarding runoff waters by forming coalitions to monitor and control this water. Other farmers are working with State and federal agencies and environmental organizations to successfully remove minerals for runoff water. A visit to the farms of the San Joaquin Valley will demonstrate that farmers are good stewards of their lands.
 
Regarding the Delta, no one is asking Delta farmers to give up their land or way of life. No one is suggesting that any new conveyance systems will take all the fresh water from the Delta, leaving swamps to replace farms. These unfounded fears have crept into discussions of seeking a secure water future for California but they should not be taken without challenge. 
 
The success of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan and the Delta Stewardship Council to reach the co-equal goals of restoring the Delta ecosystem and providing water supply reliability for people are pivotal to our water future. Those efforts should continue.

Delta

Story
From Chico Enterprise-Record - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Coalition response...It was not surprising that all the speakers during this phone conference had something to say about why a tunnel should not be selected as an alternative conveyance system.  It was also not surprising that they omitted any discussion of what a reliable water supply resulting from a tunnel would provide for California. Not only would a reliable supply aid in growing the food we all depend on, but it would also provide assurance for 25 million Californians who receive water that flows through the Delta.
 
Currently, that water supply is subject to drought and environmental regulations that prevent the delivery of water to farms and people. An improved conveyance system, whether a tunnel or canal, would not avoid the effects of drought but could ease the effects of the environmental regulations. Only the amount of water allowed by the operating restrictions would be allowed to flow through a tunnel or canal.
 
Citing Michael's analysis also omits any reference to another study from UC Berkeley that explains the assurance provided from an improved conveyance system would provide benefits to all of California.

Editorial
From Contra Costa Times - Tuesday, July 17, 2012
From Oakland Tribune - Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Coalition response...The concern expressed by this editorial for levees that protect a fresh water supply from the Delta for the Silicon Valley is well placed. However, it is important to not overlook the value of maintaining a viable water supply both in the Delta and to other areas of the State. Family farmers throughout California use the water that flows into and through the Delta to produce an affordable food supply that we all enjoy. A failure of Delta levees and subsequent invasion of salt water would have far-reaching effects on all California and not just the Silicon Valley. That's why efforts to achieve the co-equal goals of a reliable water supply and restored Delta ecosystem are so important.

WATER SUPPLY

Opinion
By Peter Drekmeier
From San Mateo Daily Journal - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Story
From Desert Sun - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Story
From KQED - Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Story
From Imperial Valley Press - Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Story
From Redding Record Searchlight - Tuesday, July 17, 2012

DELTA

Blog
By Alex Breitler
From esanjoaquin - Tuesday, July 17, 2012

FISHERIES

Story
From Eureka Times-Standard - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

COURTS

Story
From LA Times - Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Blog
By Damien M. Schiff
From Pacific Legal Foundation - Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Blog
By Tim Hull
From Courthouse News Service - Tuesday, July 17, 2012

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