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[Water_news] 3. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: WATERSHEDS - 4/10/09

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment

 

April 10, 2009

 

3. Watersheds –

 

Shorter recreational salmon fishing season proposed

The Sacramento Bee

 

Commentary: Preservation in Cuyama Valley

The Santa Maria Times

 

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Shorter recreational salmon fishing season proposed

The Sacramento Bee – 4/10/09

By Matt Weiser

 

State wildlife officials propose a 2009 Sacramento River recreational salmon fishing season that is two weeks shorter than last year, which was the narrowest season ever.

 

The proposal, discussed at Thursday's California Fish and Game Commission meeting in Lodi, is a component of a federal decision Wednesday to close all commercial salmon fishing in the ocean for the second consecutive year in response to the record low population of the 2008 Central Valley fall-run chinook.

 

The proposed recreational season in the Sacramento River is to be finalized by the commission April 21. It would run from Nov. 16 to Dec. 31.

 

Anglers could fish for salmon only between Knights Landing and the Red Bluff Diversion Dam, and keep only one salmon at a time.

 

All other areas of the Sacramento River and its tributaries, including the American and Feather rivers, would be closed to salmon fishing as they were last year.#

 

http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/1769894.html

 

Commentary: Preservation in Cuyama Valley

 

Jolaine Gorrilla is a resident and land owner in Cuyama Valley. Looking Forward runs every Friday, providing a progressive viewpoint on local issues.

 

At a recent board meeting, when discussing the need for a community plan in the Cuyama Valley, Supervisor Joseph Centeno called for prioritizing land-use plans for agricultural land and its owners. He stated that this is important due to farmers being stewards of the land.

The supervisor’s statement is, sadly, no longer founded in truth.

In the past, small and large family farms took painstaking care of their land and resources. Profits were hard-earned and counted in full smoke houses, grain silos, hay lofts and pantries filled with shining jars of canned fruits and vegetables.

Today, many agricultural operations are large corporations created to produce high profits, with little care given for the land or its resources.

Family farming values are not easily seen in areas like the Cuyama Valley, which is unincorporated and ignored by state and county officials. Safeguarding of its land, water, resources, air and unique quality of life is disregarded.

Many Cuyama Valley farms are founded upon the corporate profit model. Over-pumping a groundwater basin in a critical ongoing overdraft and over-usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are common practices.

Over-plowing dust-dried fields frequently gives Cuyama Valley the alarming appearance of a dust bowl, which is not, in any way, demonstrative of being stewards of the land.

Fortunately, a hydrology study is under way in the Cuyama Valley to evaluate the source and supply of its water. Integrity demands this, before further planning and development takes place.

Unfortunately, several farming corporations have purchased most of the acreage in Cuyama Valley, which had previously been leased. They had PG&E install a new electric bank, so wells could be pumped deeper and cheaper.

Their land was then withdrawn from the hydrology study. An accelerated race to plow, plant and pump is possibly due to knowing that growing salinity of lowering water levels will soon end profitable viability of farming in the valley and any promised future of its larger possibilities.

Dust bowls, caused by bad farming practices and drought, are disregarded lessons. Large land owners have relinquished responsibility for preserving the Cuyama Valley, opting for take the money and run, or lease, leach and leave. This is prioritized corporate greed, not stewardship of the land.

Unfortunately, several large agricultural land owners in the Cuyama Valley decided that sand and gravel mining would be extremely profitable, in spite of the irreparable impacts on the air, water, wildlife, quality of life and dangerous traffic increases.

Two land owners installed mines — without permits — in the Cuyama River, which is an American waterway protected through public trust laws. It is also a vital source of Santa Maria’s water supply.

Knowledgeable information of severe water shortages throughout California is justification alone in not allowing installations of environmentally destructive projects. Sand and aggregate industry has more than enough mines to serve county and state infrastructure needs and private development.

Prioritizing realistic, fiscally profitable plans and projects would benefit New Cuyama, the Cuyama Valley and Santa Barbara County.

Timely energy solutions, utilizing utility companies, could help restore a weakened economy and damaged environment. Solar panels could be installed on all county buildings in New Cuyama and town-site buildings.

Empowering directives are demonstrative of valuable long-range planning and development. No crystal ball is required to see the immeasurable benefits solar projects would create. Plans reflecting true stewardship of the land serve the highest good of all concerned.

Arrogant ignorance and corporate greed are no longer acceptable in industry or agriculture. We must now all be responsible guardians and stewards of the land, air and water.#

 

http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2009/04/10/opinion/041009b.txt


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