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Restore the Delta Organization questions Nature Conservancy's motives for delta stance

January 10, 2009 -- Restore the Delta, a Delta-based coalition including Delta farmers, environmentalists, everyday citizens, fishermen, business leaders, the faith community, and recreation enthusiasts, is calling into question a statement made by the Nature Conservancy supporting the construction of the peripheral canal.

Restore the Delta Campaign Director Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla notes that the Nature Conservancy does not work with or represent the interests of Delta locals. "The Nature Conservancy does not meet with and communicate regularly with local environmental activists, fisherman, or a broad association of Delta farmers, and, thus, does not understand the water needs of Delta communities. In fact, the Nature Conservancy is so focused on acquiring land that it has forgotten that fisheries need unimpeded fresh water flows in order to flourish."

The Nature Conservancy, which is staffed by various former Department of Water Resources employees, "simply does not understand the hydrodynamics of the estuary, according to John Herrick General Manager of the South Delta Water Agency. "If they concur with DWR's assessment that diverting fresh water from entering the Delta and allowing salt water to intrude into historically fresh... (Continued) water areas will have a positive impact on restoring Delta smelt or salmon populations, then have not done their homework."

Barrigan-Parrilla adds, "The Nature Conservancy is known in environmental circles for trading environmental principles for acquisition of land. A peripheral canal would deal the final death blow to Delta fisheries. First and foremost, fish need water. A peripheral canal will not make more water for fisheries or for the people of California. It will simply ship California's water from north to south, destroying the Delta's farming and fishing economies in the process."

About Restore the Delta
Restore the Delta is a grassroots campaign committed to making the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta fishable, swimmable, drinkable, and farmable to benefit all of California. Restore the Delta - a coalition of Delta residents, business leaders, civic organizations, community groups, faith-based communities, union locals, farmers, fishermen, and environmentalists - seeks to strengthen the health of the estuary and the well-being of Delta communities. Restore the Delta works to improve water quality so that fisheries and farming can thrive together again in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Website: http://www.restorethedelta.org