A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
November 3, 2008
3. Watersheds –
Editorial: Time for a deal on San Joaquin ?
The water wars of yesteryear continue to plague
Two years ago, a fragile peace broke out between environmentalists and farmers near
The 2006 court settlement, negotiated by the Natural Resources Defense Council and irrigators who receive water from Friant Reservoir, was aimed at restoring some flows to the
Yet like the situation in
In the next few weeks, Feinstein may have a narrow window of opportunity in which to get this deal done. Congressional leaders are mulling whether to call a lame-duck session, mainly to pass an economic-stimulus package. If such a session were to be called after Tuesday's election, Feinstein could – and should – seize the moment for her river- restoration legislation.
It won't be simple. In September, Feinstein tried to attach her river bill, which contained $250 million for channel improvements and other work needed to restore salmon, to an omnibus lands act. Republicans objected to the overall price tag of the package and it got bogged down in procedural hurdles.
As a result, Feinstein removed much of the spending from her bill, leaving only $88 million in direct spending for river restoration. That alarmed various irrigation districts, which fear the river- restoration mandates could become law without the funds needed to mitigate the impacts on them.
This concern is legitimate, but overblown. Feinstein is a senator of her word, and one with sizable clout. There should be little doubt she'll be able to secure federal appropriations, as well as state funding committed for the
Irrigators also need to examine the alternatives.
If this settlement unravels and the
For everyone's sake, Feinstein must find a way to get this river-restoration package passed, and tribal warriors need to sheath their swords. If this deal blows up, the casualties will include not only irrigators and river-restoration advocates, but also peace treaties involving much-larger water issues.
Hoping for a deal in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta? One that would improve habitat, increase water supplies and better manage the conflicts? Such a deal could evaporate if the San Joaquin River-restoration package becomes a victim of tribal warfare. #
http://www.sacbee.com/324/story/1365041.html
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