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Congressman Nunes to the people of California: “I am requesting that you communicate in writing your clear support or opposition to my efforts – as well as those in the Senate”

Posted by: Maven on October 1, 2009 at 4:25 pm

From the website of Congressman Devin Nunes, a message to the people of California:

Recently, I employed the assistance of Senator Jim DeMint (South Carolina) in my effort to gain passage of a temporary reprieve from the government-imposed drought in our state.

The Senator’s amendment would have assured reliable water deliveries to our region for one year, as Congress and the State of California continue to examine long-term solutions to the challenges associated with the Delta.

Since the DeMint amendment’s defeat, there has been some confusion related to the position of your organization. Specifically, there have been questions as to whether or not California’s farming community has or will endorse efforts to provide our state immediate relief and supply reliability for the upcoming planting season (the goal of the DeMint amendment).

I hope you will agree that short-term relief is urgently needed. The current plan of waiting for a new study that could last two years is not a reasonable alternative. Even if a long term solution is implemented, it will take years – perhaps a decade or more – for completion. For many, including Westside farmers, this will be too late.

For my part, I intend to continue to seek national recognition of and attention to the government-imposed drought. However, if we are to continue to work with like-minded Senators and allies in the House, it is essential to end the confusion and to speak with a unified voice. We must have a temporary reprieve from the biological decisions that are drying up our state.

For this reason, I am requesting that you communicate in writing your clear support or opposition to my efforts – as well as those in the Senate. The question is simple. Should we pursue a one or two year suspension of the Endangered Species Act as a stopgap against the ongoing devastation experienced in our state?

In the coming weeks, no matter what legislative form our efforts take, the goal will not change. We will pursue long-term solutions and we will accept additional water studies but we will insist that Congress provide Californians the same consideration provided New Mexicans when a government-imposed drought threatened the water supply of Albuquerque in 2003. We will insist that water flows while decisions are being made.

Thank you for your interest and support on behalf of California’s farmers and rural communities. Please send your letter to me as soon as possible via fax 202-225-3404 or call me if you have any questions.”

October 1, 2009 · Filed Under Wildlife & Endangered Species

Comments

One Response to “Congressman Nunes to the people of California: “I am requesting that you communicate in writing your clear support or opposition to my efforts – as well as those in the Senate””

  1. dfb on October 1st, 2009 10:20 pm

    Mr. Nunes has not lead through the crisis. Rather, he has consistently done one thing — demand the pumps be turned on full bore. He hasn’t provided consideration (at least in his public persona) about what that means and who else that effects and how. The DeMint amendment was simply an extension of that narrow sighted plan. It doesn’t even appear that he’s tried to compromise or get the brightest minds together to figure a solution to the whole mess.

    As the Cal Supreme Court has said over and over, “the scope and technical complexity of issues concerning water resource management are unequaled by virtually any other type of activity presented to the courts.” 26 Cal.3d 183, 194 (1980). The issue is more than just farmers versus fish. It has to do with fisherman who depend on the salmon; coastal tourist industry who serves the fishing, whale watching, and other coastal communities who depend on salmon and other sealife implicated; Delta communities whose livelihoods are interconnected with the health of the delta or who moved to the delta specifically for the lifestyle it provides; delta farmers; city dwellers who enjoy the delta for recreation; city dwellers who get their water from the Delta; farmers who get water from the delta; future generations of each; and so on. And in each group there are a variety of perspectives and needs. Moreover, each has a particular priority in their water rights or contractual rights.

    I feel for the westside farmers and their employees; however the Westside farmers just happen to fall low on the ladder of rights (they aren’t even the lowest). While they get 10 to 20% of their contractual allotment, nearby farmers get 100% of their allotment. That’s how the water rights system and contractual priorities work.

    Moreover, Lester Snow has said that Judge Wanger’s ESA ruling is responsible for only 5% of the decrease in pumping and the drought is responsible for the rest. Failing to acknowledge this fact further demonstrates a lack of leadership on behalf of Mr. Nunes.

    I’d also like to point out that we should follow the money trail. Mr. Nunes is the top recipient in Congress of money from the dairy industry. He got 26% of his contributions last election cycle from the dairy industry, together with the crop production and basic processing industry. As such, we should expect some of the tantrums he’s been throwing to show those groups he’s doing something, anything, to deliver them water.

    Out of $1.2 Million raised during the 2008 election cycle, these were his top contributors:
    Dairy $178,950
    Crop Production & Basic Processing $131,582
    Casinos/Gambling $84,900
    Insurance $58,500
    Oil & Gas $51,750
    Electric Utilities $49,600
    source: Open Secrets – http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?type=C&cid=N00007248&newMem=N&cycle=2008

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