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Group plans another march for water

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 1, 2009 at 6:22 am

From Fresno’s KFSN Channel 30:

A group called The Latino Water Coalition organized a march in Los Banos, and the rally in Fresno for one reason. Coalition leader Mario Santoyo explains: “The intent of the rally is to keep the issue alive in the media and in the public eye.”

With agriculture the number one business in the Valley, political leaders like Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin are eager to help. “We have to keep the pressure up. That’s what this rally is all about tomorrow, is continuing to draw attention to this issue.”

The Governor, and local congressmen are also on board, calling for more water for valley crops. They made enough noise to get the secretary of the interior , Ken Salazar to come to town to listen. But their claims that the water shortage is caused by the endangered species act, or ESA, to protect fish in the Sacramento Delta, are under dispute. Juliet Christian Smith of the Pacific Institute is among those challenging the claims.

“Even if the ESA went away, we’d still have a drought and recent pumping restrictions related to the Delta Smelt have actually only reduced water exports from the Delta about 5%.” Christian-Smith said.

Read more or watch the broadcast from KFSN by clicking here.

July 1, 2009 · Filed Under Agriculture

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