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Modesto Bee editorial: Why Stanislaus County should protect groundwater

Posted by: Maven on February 28, 2010 at 7:22 am

From the Modesto Bee:

“Don’t let the rain of the past few weeks fool you. Water remains a scarce commodity in most of California, and there will be no let-up in the creative ways people will seek to satisfy their thirst.

It is in this high-demand climate that Stanislaus County officials have initiated a discussion of whether to limit — probably through a permit process — the “mining” of groundwater for sale outside the county. Specifically, the county is concerned that property owners will drill wells to export our valuable resource elsewhere, with the potential to degrade the quantity and quality of water available to grow crops and orchards here.

This is a very serious and legitimate issue. There already is at least one case on the West Side of the county where groundwater is being shipped to thirsty farmland farther south.

At the request of Stanislaus County leaders, the county’s Agricultural Advisory Board formed a subcommittee to study the issue. In January, the subcommittee presented a draft ordinance, which is now being circulated for comments. … “

Continue reading this editorial from the Modesto Bee by clicking here.

February 28, 2010 · Filed Under Groundwater

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