Posted on 12/23/2007 10:36:47 AM PST by BenLurkin
SACRAMENTO - The order by a federal judge to reduce pumping by 30% in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta leaves water suppliers who rely on the California Aqueduct, including those in the Antelope Valley, in a bind. Just last week U.S. District Court Judge Oliver Wanger issued his final word regarding the slowdown in pumping operations at the Harvey O. Banks, the starting point of the 444-mile California Aqueduct, core to the State Water Project that furnishes drinking and agricultural water to much of Southern California. Wanger mandated the pumping reduction in order to protect an endangered fish species, the Delta smelt, that are indigenous to the area, AV water purveyors said.
Environmental groups had pushed to shut off the pumps, blaming the equipment for a decline in the smelt population, which were being sucked into the pumps and killed.
However, some water suppliers in Southern California claim those pumps are an excuse used by people up north who want to keep all the water there.
Wanger's order states that the reduction is to remain in force until Sept. 15, according to a news release from Ann Newton, a spokeswoman for the State Water Contractors Inc., an association of 27 public water agencies headquartered in Sacramento - a group that includes the Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency, Palmdale Water District and Littlerock Creek Irrigation District.
That association condemned the judge's action, which it described as "the largest court-ordered water supply reduction in California history." It said cutting back the water flow into the aqueduct by nearly a third will impact the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project, plus all the farms, businesses and people who depend on that water source.
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
Smelt be damned. We have got to start arguing for the elimination of species, straight out, if the welfare of human beings is at stake.
Yup.
This judge is an idiot. However, there is a certain justice to CA residents feeling the full effect of the liberalism they pined for these many years. Especially when they can’t shower once a day.
Several towns around where I live signed up for the state water project years ago. Our water rates went way up as a result. Now after paying for it this judge is telling us we can’t use it in the manor that it was designed - and paid for.
Screw the judge. This better be appealed.
Time for an Endangered Humans Act.
All things considered, it's probably time to let it revert back to one....
These judges think they are kings and everyone else their subjects. Maybe there should be term limits for judges.
The judge didn't write the law - your elected representatives did. Do you prefer activist Warren court type judges?
Talk about idiots.
Michael Frazier
Why does this damn judge decide?
I thought judges were supposed to simply referee trials not make policy.
Couldn’t happen to a better bunch of libs.
“cutting back the water flow into the aqueduct by nearly a third will impact the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project, plus all the farms, businesses and people who depend on that water source.”
Yeah, but what about the fish? Get your priorities straight.
Up here in Wisconsin we call them Shmelt, and you catch them in a process called shmelting.
Judges should earn merit pay. If they screw up like most of our judges do, they get no pay increase (other than the bribes they receive). California judges are the worst in our country. I doubt that anyone would say otherwise. It has always baffled me when I get my voter pamphlet that there is no mention about judges, their grades or what they stand for, did they do a good job? Who would know? I have searched the internet extensively to see if there is anybody looking out after the average Joe Citizen. As far as I can figure there isn’t.
On the other hand we are worried about our Smelt. It seems easy to me, although I have no idea what kind of fish they are talking about, I believe it’s a small fish, it is important to me to save these things they call Smelt. Send all the Fricken Illegals Home and we will have plenty of water to save the Smelt.
What law heer is the judge following?
Yeah, but what about the fish? Get your priorities straight.
+++++++++++++++++
Send the fish to Darwin and let them learn to walk.
Meanwhile, Air Districts all over CA are requiring massive amounts of water be used for dust control to fight off particulate emissions. All this insanity right when we’re having water shortages.
I believe it is time for local government to raise the spectre of the protection of human public health and saftey (the police powers) as a primary principle of government and regulation. When a federal law (Endangered Species Act - based on international treaties) trumps the public welfare of our people, it needs to be overturned or subordinated.
It is easy to say that California is a desert. However, the nation relies on its continued ability to produce vegetables, fruits, nuts, beef, and dairy products. California’s contribution to the nation’s food supply is tremendous. You can’t just write that off without severe consequences. Look at what the drought in the southeast is already doing to national food supplies and prices.
“Kalifornia was a desert in years past.
All things considered, it’s probably time to let it revert back to one....”
That’s SoCal - friend. The only problems we have in the nawth do not include water ... yet.
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