Thread: California's water problems UPDATED

Valley lawmakers fail to block fish-saving measure

The Associated Press
12:56 p.m. June 26, 2009

FRESNO, Calif. — For the second time, members of the San Joaquin Valley congressional delegation have failed to gain support for an amendment to block federal rules setting aside water for endangered fish.

The lawmakers are working to amend an Interior Department funding bill as Secretary Ken Salazar prepares for a meeting in Fresno Sunday to discuss the impact of water shortages on the region's farm economy.

The representatives have been trying to block the federal biological opinions that reserve more water in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta for salmon and smelt.

Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia, says the House have "chosen fish over working families."

Fishermen argue that keeping the water in the delta is essential to preserve their livelihoods.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... dex=123180

San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial

In brief ...

Scofflaw Caltrans; A model it's not
2:00 a.m. June 27, 2009

•Tomorrow night, Interior Secretary Kent Salazar will have a town hall meeting in Fresno. It could not be better-timed. This week, the Obama administration turned its back on the Central Valley by refusing to support an amendment to the Interior Department's budget that would have required environmental regulators to give drought-stricken valley farmers more access to irrigation water now diverted to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to protect salmon and smelt. The good news is that more than 30 House Democrats now support the efforts of Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia, to strike a better balance between farmers and fish. If Salazar's visit helps him develop some of the empathy that President Obama likes to talk about, Nunes may soon have a majority of the House on his side. Central Valley farmers are deserving.


•In mocking President George W. Bush and his administration, liberal groups used to say that, unlike the president, they belonged to the “reality-based community.â€

Interior secretary vows drought help

FRESNO – Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told farmers at a town hall meeting yesterday that he would assign Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes to help find solutions to the state's drought.

Salazar said he wanted to direct $160 million in Recovery Act funds for the federal Central Valley Project, which manages the dams and canals that move water around the state, and will expedite water transfers from other areas.
Associated Press