California DUers - comments please

[malaise]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/04/BAV618119E.DTL
<snip>
Federal regulators Thursday prescribed sweeping changes to the dams, reservoirs and pumps that supply water to two-thirds of California in an effort to restore a salmon population whose steep decline has sounded an environmental alarm and led to the cancellation of two consecutive commercial fishing seasons.

While the measures could save the storied Chinook salmon and other species from extinction, critics argue the plans reduce the water supply to people and farms at a time when the water system is strained by earlier environmental rules, drought, population growth and crumbling infrastructure.

On Thursday, an 800-page biological opinion released by the National Marine Fisheries Service found that operations of the state and federal water systems had jeopardized the state's spring-run Chinook salmon, Central Valley steelhead, green sturgeon and Southern Resident killer whales. Moving water from one area of the delta to another and exporting increased supplies to cities and farms slashed flows for fish and boosted water temperatures, the report founState officials, however, issued a stinging rebuke of the opinion.

"This federal biological opinion puts fish above the needs of millions of Californians and the health and security of the world's eighth largest economy," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "The piling on of one federal court decision after another in a species-by-species approach is killing our economy and undermining the integrity of the Endangered Species Act."

The governor said he would seek meetings with federal administrators to discuss the opinion.
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Salmon over Ahnold's friends looks good to me

[NYC_SKP]

1. I'm for salmon...

People are easily using twice what they need in their homes.

And smart irrigation practices can ensure that crops will get the water they need.

Go Salmon!

[Luminous Animal]

7. I agree.

We haven't even come close to tapping into personal and industrial conservation.

[proud patriot]

2. As someone who lives near the inland delta of the bay area

I think this will be good in the long run .

Perhaps we can work on making the aqueduct more
green .

How much of the water we move south evaporates?

[NYC_SKP]

11. Me too.

I grew up on a house on a delta levee and live on one now, so have followed the Delta and water issues most of my life.

The tensions between conflicting interests- cities, agriculture, the environment, and North vs South are older than I am.

We've taken changes to the natural system to the breaking point and successfully prevented building of the peripheral canal and a few other new projects.

I don't know how much water could be saved if we covered the Delta Mendota Canal and California Aqueduct, but I imagine it could be substantial.

Such covering could be made of photovolatic materials and create electricity, thus possibly paying for the construction cost over some time.

Additionally, much of the electrical grid infrastructure follows or intersects both waterways, thus making it even more feasible.

I like the way you think.

[proud patriot]

13. Thanks

:pals:

[Auggie]

3. Hey muscle-bound moron, once a species is gone they're gone for good

[xchrom]

4. they can't just collapse the fisheries.

that in itself is a huge industry.

plus farmers in the area aren't the sole claimants to the water.

there is water availabel from other resources as well as more sustainable crops and crop rotations.

part of the problem here are singular crops -- everyone growing only sunflowers or only rhubarb or only this or only that.

[shanti]

6. they want to collapse everything.

didn't he brag about "blowing up the boxes", when he was selected?

[shanti]

5. he's termed out in 17 months

so he doesn't give a rip what anyone thinks, and since pete wilson is "advising" him, we're getting the shaft. the areas that obviously need changes aren't happening, and the ones that are working are being cut.

[cherokeeprogressive]

8. Forget salmon. Google "Quagga Muscles"

Southern Californians who drink water are really and truly fucked. And not by salmon.

[bridgit]

9. The delta is vast and it's not possible to argue against the considered mgt of it as an ecosystem

However...when I hear Schwarzenegger, or most any california republican yaking about 'serving reliable water to 25 million thirsty people' or whatever; I see them, well really, when it's all said and done, I see a smaller percentile; Schwarzenegger was lobbying for developers to build just off Garden Hwy here *below* the levee under reduced flood plans, yes people need food and we grow it but I also see miles and miles of ADM, pop-up suburb after suburb with dusty houses in shades of beige few if any can afford just plopped round the outskirts of small farming towns; but then I see their swimming pools, lush country clubs spritzing with rainbirds, and the golf courses they build in the middle of deserts so meh to that I say,

Range wars have been fought over *access* to water. Water being vital we will account for it. While waiting for the sequel to: Chinatown


My friend xchrom is right: we will not collapse the fisheries. I like taking a look at the 'cross channeling', that just seems the kind of thing that would be a given.

"Federal architects of the plan say California's future relies on reviving these fragile species."

[20score]

10. This water shortage is a symptom of a disease that too few want to talk about.

Over-population. This fight is small compared to what it will be in 10-20 years. Having said that, we need to save the salmon and rivers whenever possible.

[EFerrari]

12. California is one big ongoing water war, pre-dates El Grope and will continue after him. n/t

[Bigmack]

14. California water affects everybody....

Irrigation... veggie prices... lettuce...

Gotta figure a way for the golfers to use less water. Gotta figure a way for population control, too.

[roody]

15. Golf courses in the desert need that water, not the fish.

[Cleita]

16. I'll take the Salmon and returning the waterways to where Mother

Nature placed them. Phooey on the factory farms of the Central Valley that suck up the water and pollute everything.