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Farmers shouldn’t blame Wanger, says commentary

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on April 18, 2008 at 3:40 pm

From the Fresno Bee, this editorial:

Farmers angry about losing irrigation water to environmental restoration have made his name an epithet, right along with the tiny delta smelt and majestic chinook salmon. They curse the day that Oliver W. Wanger got his federal judgeship and talk about hiring smart lawyers to overturn his rulings.

It’s their money to do with what they please. But they should know this: Wanger’s decisions are based on law, not liberal activist leanings.

Wanger, 67, was nominated to the bench by President George H.W. Bush and is a registered Republican. Before becoming a judge, Wanger was a senior partner at McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard, Wayte & Carruth — the Fresno cradle of judges specializing in business litigation.

Never have I heard anyone describe the firm as a bastion of liberal causes. But I have heard Wanger described as smart — brilliant, even.

When Wanger was sworn in, Judge Robert E. Coyle — for whom the federal courthouse in Fresno was named — said: “Ollie comes to us with the tools, intelligence, knowledge of the law and ability to grasp situations simultaneously.”

The column ultimately points out this:

Wanger is following the law. Not bending it left or right, or ruling capriciously. Even though the Bush administration pretends otherwise, the Endangered Species Act remains the law of the land.

By having the courage to remind growers, environmentalists and even presidents of that salient fact, Wanger is forcing stakeholders to confront the reality of what we’ve done to the delta.

Thanks to the judge, the choice is now ours. We can fix the delta with science and collaboration or we can elect to-hell-with-the-environment legislators willing to gut the Endangered Species Act.

Whatever the ultimate verdict, don’t blame Wanger.

Full text of this editorial from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.

April 18, 2008 · Filed Under Delta Issues, Judge Wanger delta smelt ruling, Judge Wanger salmon ruling

Comments

2 Responses to “Farmers shouldn’t blame Wanger, says commentary”

Barbara Renton on April 19th, 2008 3:00 pm

I’m in San Bernardino County and I know that we obtain our water from this delta up north but I agree with Judge Oliver W. Wanger’s decision and everyone should abide by it since he is saving our water for the future.

This should halt anymore idiotic development going on in my area since 18,000 homes in this County are already in foreclosure. I live in the healthy desert where no lawns should be since it alters the climate with unnecessary humidity which we don’t need at 120 degrees.
Aqua Blog Maven on April 19th, 2008 3:57 pm

It is stunning the amount of development going on here in Southern California, despite the precariousness of our water situation.

What will be interesting to see is the response to this next ruling with the salmon. The smelt was easy for some to dismiss, because it’s this little small thing that nobody fished for or ate, so who cares, some people would say. Salmon, on the other hand, lots of people eat, and it has commercial value.

These rulings are going to test the will of the public (& lawmakers) to abide by the Endangered Species Act, even when it means we ourselves are going to have to make some real changes.

Lawns are going to be the casualty of this - and as it should be, I think, because yes, we do live in a desert. At least people need to fix their leaks and get rid of the grass that they don’t use. So many people have front lawns but never use them. Or grass in the parkways when other treatments would do.

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