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The human cost of the Valleys water crisis: A national security risk

Posted by: Maven on March 31, 2010 at 8:30 am

From Fresno’s KMPH:

“Are federal water restrictions degrading the human environment of the west valley and endangering national security?

Naval Air Station Lemoore. The United States Navy’s newest, largest, and only west coast master jet base. “We have 14 f-18 squadrons who deploy in harms way in support of national defense,” reveals NAS Lemoore Commander, Captain James Knapp. “The majority of those squadrons go on aircraft carriers.” The tip of the spear of our country’s naval air power.

“There are F-18′s from this base as we speak right now that are flying over Afghanistan supporting our troops on the ground there,” continues Knapp.

Approximately one-half of the navy’s total offensive combat strike power flying up to 150 missions a day with and without live ordinance. “This is a precious national asset for the nation’s defense,” explains Knapp. But it is an asset now in peril, it’s mission put in jeopardy by federally mandated water restrictions.

“Ever since I’ve taken command of the base in 2008,” confesses Knapp, “the thing that keeps me up at night are the water allocations.” … “

Continue reading this article from KMPH by clicking here.

March 31, 2010 · Filed Under San Joaquin Valley

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