Commentary: Environmentalists threaten Valley livelihoods, Fresno Bee - 6/4/03
By Frank Bigelow, Madera County supervisor, Bob Waterston, Fresno County supervisor, and Jerry O'Banion, Merced County supervisor

There are more than two sides to the highly contentious San Joaquin River restoration issue and all the Friant Water Users Authority vs. environmentalists legal turmoil. An exciting and creative new partnership, the San Joaquin River Task Force, is engaged in developing a clear plan describing the local Valley side of the issue.

Editorials and commentaries in The Bee urge community leaders in the Valley to address the problems of growth and the resources required to take care of that growth. More than a year ago, this exact concern led the counties of Fresno, Merced and Madera to form the San Joaquin River Task Force to comprehensively address the many river issues, including water supply, flood control, growth and restoration.

On the other hand, environmental organizations based nationally and in San Francisco have taken the Valley to task for not accepting their vision of a restored San Joaquin River.

In April 2002, when the supervisors of Fresno, Merced and Madera voted unanimously to start the San Joaquin River Task Force, all affected stakeholders were invited to be members.

Both the Friant Water Users Authority and the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) were specifically invited. Friant immediately joined our consensus-based organization, but the NRDC repeatedly declined. They preferred instead to try to get the courts to impose the NRDC's will on people of the Valley.

We are at a loss to understand why the NRDC refuses to work with locally elected officials. Do they want the court to impose a Klamath Basin-type edict on our Valley? Why do they refuse to acknowledge that the type of water releases they are recommending will not only decimate the East Side's economy, but also cause immense flood damage along the river? In its current state, the San Joaquin River simply cannot handle the high-flow regime necessary for salmon restoration.

One allegation by NRDC is particularly galling -- that Valley residents are breaking the law and thus no consideration need be given to the communities, farms and citizens who would be harmed by the environmental coalition's recommendations. The fact is that more than a half-century ago Congress ordered the present development and management strategy of the San Joaquin River when it authorized construction of Friant Dam.

Environmentalists writing the recent op-ed pieces live nowhere near the upper San Joaquin River, and their families and lifestyles will not be affected by their unreasonable goals. The Bee was right when it urged local leaders to address local issues; the corollary is that ideologues from the Bay Area should not attempt to impose their will on the Valley.

We understand that the preliminary estimates of water needed to reestablish a fishery will consume more than half of the current local river water supply. At the same time, preliminary water supply options being considered do not come close to generating that amount of water.

We cannot comprehend the statement in the recent commentary that water supply options are available to restore the river without harm to urban and agricultural water supplies. To even attempt to implement the NRDC restoration plan, which considers new surface storage unnecessary and ill-advised, will lead to economic devastation for our citizens and their city and county governments.

We are convinced that new surface storage is necessary to generate the additional supplies needed for the long-term viability of our economy and environment. Apparently NRDC is not interested in any restoration plan that protects our economy, and is only interested in inflicting pain on San Joaquin River water users. Such shortsighted gamesmanship has no place in an issue of this magnitude.

It is wise public policy to have all stakeholders address these issues. Our meetings are well-attended by representatives of the Valley's elected officials in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. We would appreciate The Bee's endorsement of our efforts to find a solution to the San Joaquin River's issues through a consensus-based process.