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Schwarzenegger Pushes Canal As Salmon Rivers Are Sucked Dry/Urgent Action Alert

 

"Schwarzenegger has always had contempt for the vulnerable..." ---Eve Ansler 

 

by Dan Bacher, editor of the FishSniffer

August 22, 2009 -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made it clear to the public over the past week that he wants a water bond package including a peripheral canal, regardless of the impacts on imperiled salmon, Delta smelt and other fish populations and Delta communities, reported Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, campaign director of Restore the Delta. He campaigned for the canal and more dams and against federal protections for salmon at a rally sponsored by the Latino Water Coalition, a front for corporate agribusiness, at the Capitol on August 18. 
 
"Legislative leaders and bill authors continue to believe that rather than standing up to the Governor, some type of deal cutting is the way to solve the Delta's problems," said Barrigan-Parrilla. "That is why public participation by the people of the Delta is more important than ever." 
 
Final public information hearings regarding Delta and state water policy legislation will be held Tuesday, August 25, Wednesday, August 26, and Thursday, August 27. The Joint Policy Committee Meetings will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday in room 4202 to review and amend legislation. Senator Wolk will be holding a Senate Hearing at 1 p.m. on Wednesday to look at financing as it relates to Delta issues. 
 
Participating groups, individual, and agencies must submit written comments by noon on Monday in order to participate in the process for the Tuesday and Thursday hearings. Restore the Delta staff is preparing in depth comments for that. 
 
"Where we need help from you is with attendance," urged Barrigan-Parrilla. "We need our supporters to be physically present in order to support our comments. We encourage all Restore the Delta supporters to attend. If anyone needs help with a ride, please call 209-479-2053. We can help with carpool arrangements." 
 
Bill Jennings, executive director of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA), describes the water bill package as a "road map" to the construction of the canal. It will set up a Delta Stewardship Council, on which 4 out of 7 seats will be appointed by the Governor. Since the Governor is pushing for the canal, there is no doubt that his appointees will advocate the building of his "Big Ditch" as a monument to his gigantic ego. For more information go to http://www.calsport.org


 Meanwhile, Restore the Delta extended a special thank you to Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis), who did an outstanding job defending the estuary and Delta communities at Tuesday's joint hearing on the Delta bill package currently in the legislature. 
 
"Senator Wolk made quite clear the need for Delta communities to be adequately represented in any new Delta governance structures," said Barrigan-Parrilla. "She also asked important questions regarding the need to establish a scientific understanding of the Delta's freshwater needs." 
 
"Likewise, Restore the Delta thanks it supporters who turned out for Monday's rally and Tuesday's hearing. We know that many of you have taken time off work to attend. We appreciate your support and engagement with Delta legislation," she added. 
 
For more information, go to http://www.restorethedelta.org