Posted on 08/20/2009 8:25:09 AM PDT by jazusamo
Supporters of California agriculture called on the Obama administration and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday to lift water restrictions that were imposed to protect the endangered delta smelt, saying the fish is putting farmers out of business.
The Pacific Legal Foundation presented a "Save Our Water" petition with 12,000 signatures at a Sacramento news conference, calling on Mr. Schwarzenegger, a Republican, to request that the Obama administration convene the federal Endangered Species Committee, also known as the "God Squad," to remove the water curbs.
"California should be known for the Rose Bowl, not a dust bowl. But there's a danger of a dust bowl being created in the Central Valley by extreme [Endangered Species Act] regulations," said foundation President Rob Rivett. "Instead of stimulating jobs, federal environmental officials are turning recession into depression and stimulating economic hardship for businesses, farms and families."
State Rep. George Radanovich, a Republican from the hard-hit San Joaquin Valley, said that"when it comes to water policy, humans come before fish."
The God Squad is a rarely invoked but potentially powerful provision within the Endangered Species Act that lets the committee override species protections in cases of economic emergency.
During a trip to the Central Valley in June, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar appeared to reject the idea.
Convening the committee, Mr. Salazar said, "would be to admit failure, it would defeat ecosystem restoration efforts. It has been rarely invoked and usually leads to litigation," according to Aquafornia.com, a Web site on the state's water issues.
As a result, proponents of emergency action are urging Mr. Schwarzenegger to throw his clout behind the idea and make the request to the Interior Department on behalf of the state.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
I would guess these same environuts are not willing to give up any meals.
California Freepers, how do you stand it???
Some environmentalists say the agriculture industry needs to adapt to the reduced water supply and live within its means...
and for a freaking local minnow
Surely there must be SOMEPLACE where all the water is turned on!! Arm yourselves and go DO IT!!
When they don't have food, that will change their minds.
To which the farmers need to place said environmentalists on a reduced water supply of a liter per environmentalist per day, and see if THEY can live within THEIR means . . .
you need to learn what it is to starve to death **** idiot.
Simple Solutions to complex problems:
Fire Governor Shriver immediately, Get a new Governor that can READ THE CONSTITUTION. Immediately tell the Feds to go pound sand, this is a FREE and INDEPENDENT , SOVEREIGN STATE.
This is our water not yours, any person who attempts in any way to subvert the Sovereignty of the State of California Shall be Imprisoned for Life, All Assets Shall be Seized upon Arrest. This Shall include All Federal Employees and Officers of the Court.
What Would John Wayne Do???
If I were a farmer in the Central Valley, you would find me out setting bombs at the locks to let water loose into the irrigation system.
Fish don’t vote...and I think that the voters will win this battle, but why are we fighting?
California has a coastline that is 840 miles long. The tidal shoreline including small bays and inlets is 3427 miles. Some of these extend inland for over a hundred miles.
Can you say desalination? Hello?
Before
“I would guess these same environuts are not willing to give up any meals. “
Neither are they willing to ever speak out against this...a REAL environmental problem!
85,000 Acre California Fire caused by Mexican Drug Cartels - confirmed!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2317334/posts
“California Freepers, how do you stand it???”
I was indoctrinated in Oregon...same political nonsense. If California was the only state messed up, it wouldn’t be so bad.
Exactly! They're not only unwilling to speak out against it but want to stop all road building and eliminate existing ones which in effect will aid in illegal activities on Forest Service and BLM lands.
And right there, that’s their ration.
And greener still, that way, in a few days they’re available for composting into organic fertilizer!!
Sounds like an all-around win to me. . .
I’m on the side of the farmers!
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