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Dan Bacher: Groups blast Westlands attempt to use aqueduct as sewer

Posted by: Maven on March 3, 2010 at 8:15 am

california_aqueductFrom Dan Bacher at IndyBay.org, this commentary:

“Every time that you think that corporate agribusiness can’t stoop any lower than they have already in their campaign to destroy imperiled fish populations and fishing jobs, they always manage to reach a new low in their race to the bottom.

In the latest surrealistic episode in the California water wars, Westlands Water District, the “Darth Vader” of California water politics, is now seeking a permit to pollute the drinking water supply for millions of Californians, according to a coalition of environmental, fishing and tribal groups.

“Westlands has proposed a project to discharge up to 100,000 acre feet of groundwater into the State Water Project California Aqueduct, a drinking water supply for approximately 20 million people,” revealed Bill Jennings, executive director of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance.

The CSPA and other organizations today submitted comments regarding Westlands’ proposed discharge and conveyance of polluted groundwater into and through the California Aqueduct of the State Water Project. The organizations submitting the comments include the California Water Impact Network, Sierra Club, PCFFA, AquAlliance, Restore the Delta, Planning and Conservation League, Friends of the River, Southern California Watershed Alliance, Salmon Water Now, Crab Board Owners Association, Winnemen Wintu Tribe, Southern California Watershed Alliance and North Coast Rivers Alliance.

“Westland’s groundwater is highly contaminated with selenium, boron, and salts,” said Jennings. “The California Aqueduct is a water of the nation and supplies drinking water to more than 20 million people in Southern California. The aqueduct also has identified recreation and wildlife habitat beneficial uses and its waters supply reservoirs and streams that support significant fisheries habitat.” … “

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March 3, 2010 · Filed Under Water Agency News

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