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Senator Feinstein: Review of Delta science is appropriate

Posted by: Maven on December 11, 2009 at 6:34 am

In case you didn’t see Senator Feinstein’s response to the recent story about her connection to Stuart Resnick, here is her rebuttal that is running in today’s Sacramento Bee (the same as ran in the SF Chronicle earlier this week and was at the top of the scroll):

“A story in Monday’s Sacramento Bee (“Feinstein heeded donor, sought Delta study,” Capitol & California) questioned my rationale for seeking an independent National Academy of Science review of the biological opinions that govern water pumping for farms in the San Joaquin Valley.

My reason for seeking the study is simple and clear. The Valley is in the midst of a devastating economic crisis, caused in part by a drought that has left hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland fallowed. This agricultural crisis, coupled with the collapse of the construction industry, has resulted in unemployment rates as high as 40 percent in some towns.

Some 13 lawsuits have been filed against the two biological opinions that form the basis for restricting water pumping to the Central Valley. These suits could hamper efforts to restore the Delta ecosystem and complicate efforts to address California’s water crisis.

Therefore, I believe a review by the Academy of Science is entirely appropriate. The Academy of Science is the most credible scientific body in the nation. When I met with Valley farmers in August, they made it clear that the Academy is the only scientific body whose opinion they will respect. … “

Read more of Senator Feinstein’s rebuttal by clicking here.

December 11, 2009 · Filed Under Delta Issues

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