Published
4 years agoon
By
NewsSen. Andreas Borgeas (My Mother Lode)
Borgeas calls the action part of an emerging inconsistency in state priorities, especially during the current COVID-19 emergency. “It’s difficult to imagine how we can simultaneously decrease water allocations, in the midst of a pandemic, when food supply and security are among our paramount concerns, he states.
“Farmers and workers are stepping up to meet the high food demands across our state and nation. We cannot expect food producers, particularly in the Central Valley, to keep growing our nation’s food without the necessary water resources. We should be increasing water allocations, not taking water away from those who need it.”
Kristi Diener, founder of the California Water for Food and People Movement, echoed Borgeas’ views. In a Facebook post, she wrote, “The state pumps are operating at a trickle, or 5% of capacity today. In other words, they have been ratcheted back by 95%.
“Water is pouring out of the Sierra,” Diener continued, “but we are not allowed to take advantage because of environmental restrictions for things like fish migration.”
By Tori James | 2 Apr 2020