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Congressman Nunes: Distorted water – Clarifying facts to combat the twisted views of radical environmentalists…

Posted by: Maven on October 31, 2009 at 8:10 am

From Congressman Devin Nunes, this 8-page pdf:

“During the debate in Congress concerning California’s government-imposed drought, I have heard a host of excuses as to why San Joaquin Valley residents should not be given immediate help. Many of the most troubling statements about our region have been posted on my YouTube Channel or are discussed in my blog. However, I prepared this document because it is important for us to understand the distortions used against us and to respond to them with facts.

DISTORTION: Agriculture uses 80% of California’s water.
FACT: Quite the reverse is true – 76% of Delta water is used by the environment.

In an average year, the entire state of California receives about 200 million acre feet of water through precipitation. More than 50% evaporates into the atmosphere, percolates into the soil, or is used by native vegetation.

The remaining water, approximately 82 million acre feet, flows
into rivers. Of this amount, California dedicates 48% to the environment – the single largest use of water in California. The remaining water is used by agriculture (41%) and cities (11%).

It is important to note that of the water that actually reaches the Delta, 76% is flushed to the ocean for environmental reasons.
Bay Area water users, combined with users in Central and Southern California, consume 18% of Delta water. Delta cities and farmers use the remaining 6%. …”

Download this 8-page pdf from Congressman Devin Nunes by clicking on the version you want:

Distorted Water

October 31, 2009 · Filed Under Agriculture, Drought, Weather & Snowpack, Wildlife & Endangered Species

Comments

3 Responses to “Congressman Nunes: Distorted water – Clarifying facts to combat the twisted views of radical environmentalists…”

  1. John Bass on October 31st, 2009 10:00 am

    Rep. Nunes Distorted Water argument is full of distortion, and is nothing more than a new presentation of an old argument.

    Does Rep. Nunes understand that the vast majority of the water he thinks is wasted because it flows out to SF Bay actually keeps salt water out of the Delta and therefore out of his constituents’ water supply? Or is he choosing to ignore reality when it is inconvenient?

    He tries to stay on message, but in the end, Rep. Nunes just can’t help himself. Toward the end, he implies (well, he only implied, at least – unlike others who make this argument) that environmentalists are responsible for more deaths than the holocaust, etc., because they were successful in getting the “lifesaving chemical DDT” banned.

    Like the ‘wasted water’ argument, offering up the DDT myth as part of his radical environmentalist cant is typical of the sorts of distortions and oversimplified arguments Nunes offers up.

  2. Dave Simmons on November 1st, 2009 12:09 am

    The fact is Mr. Bass, Farmers have been forced to five up farm water since 1992. Almost 20 years!!! Has it helped even one single fish? No, the fish are worse off now. Why do we continue turning the dial that doesn’t do anything and completely avoid things like pollution and invasive and non native species? It absolutely makes no sense.

  3. John Bass on November 1st, 2009 4:16 pm

    There are lots of facts, don’t you agree, Mr. Simmons? That it has been a hardship for farmers for nearly twenty years is an indication that there is no longer enough water for everyone to just do whatever the heck they want to do. And this is a fact, too.

    And so you know, I agree with you that we should address all of the problems you cite. For instance, shouldn’t the fact the the Hetch Hetchy was once part of the watershed supplying the Delta be important?

    So, when it comes to oversimplifications and distortions Mr. Simmons, I am an equal opportunity myth-buster. If you don’t believe me, check out my website.

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