Shout out for Arnold and look who answers.
In Tuesday's "California Insider" Dan Weintraub had the killer quote:
California Insider - A Weblog by Sacramento Bee Columnist Daniel Weintraub
"Schwarzenegger, thinking he couldn’t return in time from his weekend trip to the Middle East, had sent a stand-in – actor Tom Arnold – to address the business leaders"
Tuesday, August 26, 2003
There is obviously a significant disconnect in New Mexico. It may be true elsewhere as well, but it is rarely as clearly on display as at the recent [New Mexico]state-sponsored meeting on water in Albuquerque.
Frank Zoretich writes in the Albuquerque Tribune article "Urban, rural water rivals clash "
Some relevant quotes:
"We might have to retire half the agriculture" in New Mexico, said Danny Hernandez, a member of the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority.
"It's time to shift water from agricultural to urban and industrial uses - Intel is more efficient than alfalfa," said Bob Simon, corporate counsel for the Westland Development Corp.
"Last time I looked, you couldn't eat a computer chip," countered Janet Jarrett, a Valencia County irrigation farmer
In one of the understatements of this or any other year the State Water engineer, John D'Antonio opined, "Clearly, there's a need to educate better" …
We’ve all been to meetings like this where the heat runs way past the light. These are survival issues and everyone sees no way to share that which must after all always be shared. We can live with less than perfect government and even dirty air, but water is a necessity.
Economics is part of the equation rightly enough and there are some tough questions to be answered. Neither you nor your cow can eat a computer chip, but chip production might well import a lot of hay better grown in some place other than a desert. On the other hand, a Rio Grande valley devoid of life would look a lot like the Los Angeles River which is so often the scene of car chases, real and staged, or the Owens Valley where dried apple means something altogether different than trail mix.
Urbanites are not going to live without lawns, clean cars and those water suck holes, golf courses. Ranchers and farmers ranch and farm because they must, not to materially compete with physicians and technocrats and they need water to do it. Factories use a lot of water while employing a lot of people and paying a lot of taxes.
Water is the one shared resource, all life runs on it and the supply is fixed. Every locale gets the mix that it gets. If it tries to make a living on someone else’s water, that too is sharing, only the pot is temporarily bigger. But only temporarily.
John is right, 10,000 years of human history and still, “…there’s a need to educate better.
Frank Zoretich writes in the Albuquerque Tribune article "Urban, rural water rivals clash "
Some relevant quotes:
"We might have to retire half the agriculture" in New Mexico, said Danny Hernandez, a member of the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority.
"It's time to shift water from agricultural to urban and industrial uses - Intel is more efficient than alfalfa," said Bob Simon, corporate counsel for the Westland Development Corp.
"Last time I looked, you couldn't eat a computer chip," countered Janet Jarrett, a Valencia County irrigation farmer
In one of the understatements of this or any other year the State Water engineer, John D'Antonio opined, "Clearly, there's a need to educate better" …
We’ve all been to meetings like this where the heat runs way past the light. These are survival issues and everyone sees no way to share that which must after all always be shared. We can live with less than perfect government and even dirty air, but water is a necessity.
Economics is part of the equation rightly enough and there are some tough questions to be answered. Neither you nor your cow can eat a computer chip, but chip production might well import a lot of hay better grown in some place other than a desert. On the other hand, a Rio Grande valley devoid of life would look a lot like the Los Angeles River which is so often the scene of car chases, real and staged, or the Owens Valley where dried apple means something altogether different than trail mix.
Urbanites are not going to live without lawns, clean cars and those water suck holes, golf courses. Ranchers and farmers ranch and farm because they must, not to materially compete with physicians and technocrats and they need water to do it. Factories use a lot of water while employing a lot of people and paying a lot of taxes.
Water is the one shared resource, all life runs on it and the supply is fixed. Every locale gets the mix that it gets. If it tries to make a living on someone else’s water, that too is sharing, only the pot is temporarily bigger. But only temporarily.
John is right, 10,000 years of human history and still, “…there’s a need to educate better.
Monday, August 11, 2003
Proponents for decommissioning Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River get a little help. Sediment in Lake Powell reservoir is building rapidly even as water levels drop, closing a boat dock and forcing boaters down-reservoir for access. Read more here:
Glen Canyon Dam hydropower at risk
Living Rivers Press Release
August 11, 2003
Living Rivers News
As predicted two years ago by the environmental group Living Rivers in Moab, Utah, Colorado River sediment at Hite Marina has necessitated the removal of all reservoir conveniences such as the floating store, fuel docks, water and septic lines, boat rentals, and courtesy docks
According to the 2000 survey, reservoir managers were given another 35 years of service at Hite Marina provided the reservoir could be maintained at full pool. "Such a projection is incredibly optimistic," says John Weisheit, conservation director of Living Rivers. "Considering the downstream demand for water, the present drought situation, and how the river erodes into the exposed sediment and feeds the delta, the facilities at Hite are basically history."
Glen Canyon Dam hydropower at risk
Living Rivers Press Release
August 11, 2003
Living Rivers News
As predicted two years ago by the environmental group Living Rivers in Moab, Utah, Colorado River sediment at Hite Marina has necessitated the removal of all reservoir conveniences such as the floating store, fuel docks, water and septic lines, boat rentals, and courtesy docks
According to the 2000 survey, reservoir managers were given another 35 years of service at Hite Marina provided the reservoir could be maintained at full pool. "Such a projection is incredibly optimistic," says John Weisheit, conservation director of Living Rivers. "Considering the downstream demand for water, the present drought situation, and how the river erodes into the exposed sediment and feeds the delta, the facilities at Hite are basically history."
Friday, August 08, 2003
Just when we thought that the deal was done...
California Governor Gray Davis has spent a lot of effort and political capital to stem the flow of Water Lawsuits around California's use of the Lower Colorado. The subject of over fifty years of continuous litigation, California's overdraws of water from the river looked to be on the way out with the announcement that
...on March 12, 2003, negotiators for the Imperial Irrigation District (IID), Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), reached agreement on the terms of 51 contracts to implement the transfer of water from IID to San Diego, including the Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA).(source:The California Water Reporter)
Now, it seems that the compact is about to unravel
The Denver Post says :
Calif. recall would imperil Colo. River deal
Denver Post
A recall of California Gov. Gray Davis would threaten a deal to wean the Golden State from Colorado's and other Western states' unused water, water experts say.
"It would throw the talks into a state of uncertainty," said Jim Lochhead, who represents water agencies throughout Colorado in Colorado River negotiations .
Others question the Imperial Irrigation District's commitment to reaching a deal, especially when the district's political consultant, former Ronald Reagan aide Ken Kachigian, is working on behalf of another client to unseat Davis. Some worry that the district would rather hold onto its water and embarrass Davis by letting the clock run out.
The Six other states in the Lower Colorado River compact are concerned on another score. Namely, does the recent deal negotiated by the Davis administration give California an out in the event of low water years.
6 states call Calif.'s water-sharing deal unacceptable
Arizona Central
SAN DIEGO - Six Western states that share the Colorado River with California have told Gov. Gray Davis that they would not accept the latest version of a landmark deal aimed at weaning the nation's most populous state from its over-reliance on the river.
Representatives of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming signed a letter Tuesday to Davis outlining their problems with the complex deal under consideration by four Southern California water agencies. A copy of the letter was obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The Battle Over California's IID-to-San Diego Water Transfer Heats Up on a Number of Fronts
California Water Reporter
In order for DOI to allow California's use of Colorado River water in excess of its allocation, the IID-to-San Diego water transfer must be approved by the parties. Governor Davis' administration had attempted to eliminate the last key hurdle standing in the way of the IID, SDCWA, the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) and MWD water transfer agreements by proposing to use $200 million in Proposition 50 money to pay for environmental clean up at Salton Sea. The Salton Sea depends on runoff from the Imperial Valley farmers, which would be reduced by transferring water to San Diego County. Proposition 50, the "Clean Water and Coastal Protection Bond of 2002," approved by the California voters in November 2002, allocated bond money to a variety of environmental restoration programs.
California Governor Gray Davis has spent a lot of effort and political capital to stem the flow of Water Lawsuits around California's use of the Lower Colorado. The subject of over fifty years of continuous litigation, California's overdraws of water from the river looked to be on the way out with the announcement that
...on March 12, 2003, negotiators for the Imperial Irrigation District (IID), Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), reached agreement on the terms of 51 contracts to implement the transfer of water from IID to San Diego, including the Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA).(source:The California Water Reporter)
Now, it seems that the compact is about to unravel
The Denver Post says :
Calif. recall would imperil Colo. River deal
Denver Post
A recall of California Gov. Gray Davis would threaten a deal to wean the Golden State from Colorado's and other Western states' unused water, water experts say.
"It would throw the talks into a state of uncertainty," said Jim Lochhead, who represents water agencies throughout Colorado in Colorado River negotiations .
Others question the Imperial Irrigation District's commitment to reaching a deal, especially when the district's political consultant, former Ronald Reagan aide Ken Kachigian, is working on behalf of another client to unseat Davis. Some worry that the district would rather hold onto its water and embarrass Davis by letting the clock run out.
The Six other states in the Lower Colorado River compact are concerned on another score. Namely, does the recent deal negotiated by the Davis administration give California an out in the event of low water years.
6 states call Calif.'s water-sharing deal unacceptable
Arizona Central
SAN DIEGO - Six Western states that share the Colorado River with California have told Gov. Gray Davis that they would not accept the latest version of a landmark deal aimed at weaning the nation's most populous state from its over-reliance on the river.
Representatives of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming signed a letter Tuesday to Davis outlining their problems with the complex deal under consideration by four Southern California water agencies. A copy of the letter was obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The Battle Over California's IID-to-San Diego Water Transfer Heats Up on a Number of Fronts
California Water Reporter
In order for DOI to allow California's use of Colorado River water in excess of its allocation, the IID-to-San Diego water transfer must be approved by the parties. Governor Davis' administration had attempted to eliminate the last key hurdle standing in the way of the IID, SDCWA, the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) and MWD water transfer agreements by proposing to use $200 million in Proposition 50 money to pay for environmental clean up at Salton Sea. The Salton Sea depends on runoff from the Imperial Valley farmers, which would be reduced by transferring water to San Diego County. Proposition 50, the "Clean Water and Coastal Protection Bond of 2002," approved by the California voters in November 2002, allocated bond money to a variety of environmental restoration programs.
Thursday, August 07, 2003
On the border between Oregon and California, the Government, Environmentalists, Farmers, and Native Americans have been waging Water Wars over the flow levels of the Klamath River system since 1991. They have been trying to work out an appropriate rationing system that will meet the oft conflicting needs and desires of these diverse groups. It appears that the White House has not been playing well with the others...
Information Request Filed to Uncover White House Manipulation of Klamath Policy
Groups seek to clarify Karl Rove's role in dictating Klamath policy resulting in 33,000 dead salmon
August 6th, 2003
Earthjustice News
"The government can't decide the fate of our most precious natural resources based on the political ambitions of the White House,"said Kristen Boyles with Earthjustice. "This information request seeks to get to the bottom of exactly what White House operatives did to achieve the political outcome they wanted at the expense of the Klamath River and coastal communities."
According to the Wall Street Journal, [Bush advisor Karl] Rove reminded the federal managers responsible for the Klamath Irrigation Project that farming interests comprised the President's political base and polling data suggested more water to them would achieve a favorable political result for the President and Oregon Republican Senator Gordon Smith.
"If the Wall Street Journal is correct, it's clear the Bush administration is willing to sacrifice the well being of Northern California coastal communities and the Native American tribes of the Klamath Basin on the altar of political expediency," said Glen Spain of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations.
"The Bush administration has clearly written off California in its political strategy. Fair enough. But to take down the Klamath River, all the wildlife that depends on the river, and all the native and coastal communities that depend on the wildlife, for political gain; that's not right," said Bob Hunter of WaterWatch of Oregon.
This doesn't really need a lot of comment. Usually these interferences are a bit more circumspect.
Information Request Filed to Uncover White House Manipulation of Klamath Policy
Groups seek to clarify Karl Rove's role in dictating Klamath policy resulting in 33,000 dead salmon
August 6th, 2003
Earthjustice News
"The government can't decide the fate of our most precious natural resources based on the political ambitions of the White House,"said Kristen Boyles with Earthjustice. "This information request seeks to get to the bottom of exactly what White House operatives did to achieve the political outcome they wanted at the expense of the Klamath River and coastal communities."
According to the Wall Street Journal, [Bush advisor Karl] Rove reminded the federal managers responsible for the Klamath Irrigation Project that farming interests comprised the President's political base and polling data suggested more water to them would achieve a favorable political result for the President and Oregon Republican Senator Gordon Smith.
"If the Wall Street Journal is correct, it's clear the Bush administration is willing to sacrifice the well being of Northern California coastal communities and the Native American tribes of the Klamath Basin on the altar of political expediency," said Glen Spain of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations.
"The Bush administration has clearly written off California in its political strategy. Fair enough. But to take down the Klamath River, all the wildlife that depends on the river, and all the native and coastal communities that depend on the wildlife, for political gain; that's not right," said Bob Hunter of WaterWatch of Oregon.
This doesn't really need a lot of comment. Usually these interferences are a bit more circumspect.
Conservationists and the Power Industry in California begin decommissioning dams....
From such small steps grow the paths of change.
Read the full story here
Sacramento Bee
Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Wednesday, August 6, 2003
PIONEER, California
Standing on a platform by the creek, environmentalists and PG&E officials watched as crews revved up a multi-ton "hoe ram" -- a hydraulic jackhammer mounted on a tracked vehicle. The crews then attacked the dam, sending an unnatural sound -- Whompa! Whompa! Whompa! -- through the verdant forest.
Gradually, a trickle of water spilled through the destroyed lip of the dam.
"This is so exciting," said Katherine Evatt, president of the Foothill Conservancy and wife of Pete Bell. "Usually when we see construction sites, we see trees being knocked down and landscapes leveled. It's great to see construction equipment being used for restoration."
PG&E officials said that Tuesday's dam removal is their first "in modern times" but probably not their last.
From such small steps grow the paths of change.
Read the full story here
Sacramento Bee
Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Wednesday, August 6, 2003
PIONEER, California
Standing on a platform by the creek, environmentalists and PG&E officials watched as crews revved up a multi-ton "hoe ram" -- a hydraulic jackhammer mounted on a tracked vehicle. The crews then attacked the dam, sending an unnatural sound -- Whompa! Whompa! Whompa! -- through the verdant forest.
Gradually, a trickle of water spilled through the destroyed lip of the dam.
"This is so exciting," said Katherine Evatt, president of the Foothill Conservancy and wife of Pete Bell. "Usually when we see construction sites, we see trees being knocked down and landscapes leveled. It's great to see construction equipment being used for restoration."
PG&E officials said that Tuesday's dam removal is their first "in modern times" but probably not their last.
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