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SF Chronicle editorial: A truce in the water wars

Posted by: Maven on March 1, 2010 at 8:06 am

From the San Francisco Chronicle, this editorial:

“A mighty turn of the federal faucet has ended the latest chapter in California’s water wars. A wet winter that’s filling rivers and reservoirs will let Washington dole out extra supplies for cities, farms and wildlife and cap a political rebellion in the San Joaquin Valley.

The outcome is clearly welcome. After three dry years, heavy rains and snowfall have all but ended drought conditions, leading federal water authorities – and state officials to a lesser extent – to forecast healthy flows to water systems and agricultural districts. It’s a commonsense conclusion, no doubt spurred by the reality of an election year and high jobless rates in valley towns.

The move has another beneficial side effect. It buys time for negotiation and study in the multilayered dispute over sharing a precious resource in a growing state. California’s water supply remains fragile, burdened by competing uses, legal fights, crumbling concrete and brutal politics.

That’s why the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation decision is timely. It cancels a showdown over a provocative pledge by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to grab water for farmers on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. The newly promised water releases match the amount she was after, and led her to table her unfortunate tactic. … “

Continue reading this editorial from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.

March 1, 2010 · Filed Under Legislation - State & Federal

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