04/10 Congressional Water Forum Examines Resolving San Joaquin Valley Water Crisis, Fresno, CA

Valley urged to fight for water at congressional forum
Congressional forum says public pressure is needed
Robert Rodriguez
Fresno Bee
January 25, 2010

FRESNO, California -- Major change in federal policies fueled by mounting public pressure must happen in order to solve the Valley's ongoing water crisis, several speakers said Monday at a congressional town hall forum in Fresno.

More than 200 people attended the meeting at Fresno's City Hall chambers. The event was chaired by Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, the ranking Republican of the House Natural Resources Committee.

McClintock was joined by Reps. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia, Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, and Rob Bishop, a Utah Republican. A panel of witnesses that included water district officials and farmers provided testimony.

Many at Monday's meeting called for changes to the federal Endangered Species Act -- a series of regulations that agricultural advocates say has reduced water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to Valley farmers.

The delta's massive pumps are shut down during periods when the fish species are threatened.

Although previous attempts to amend the ESA in the delta have failed, McClintock urged the public to continue the fight.

"It is a question of political will," McClintock said. "Congress can act, when it has the political will."

Others in the partisan crowd expressed frustration with the federal government's role in helping Valley farmers.

An experiment called the "Two Gates" project has been put on hold by the Department of the Interior. The experiment was designed to divert the threatened delta smelt away from the massive pumps, allowing water to continue flowing south to Valley farms.

Federal officials said they want to study the issue further, a move that has further raised the anxiety level among farmers who are entering another year of uncertain water supplies.

Last year, farmers idled thousands of acres of farmland and laid off hundreds of workers, many who turned to food giveaways to feed themselves and their families.

"People have to wake up to what is happening out here," said Larry Easterling, who farms pistachios near Kettleman City.

Utah Congressman Bishop urged the public to use their social and business networks to help tell people about the Valley's plight.

"I would like you to make sure this message goes beyond this Valley," Bishop said. "You need to tell people why this needs action, and you need to do it now."

http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/01/25/1796176/valley-urged-to-fight-for-water.html

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