Local farmers are ready to fight water restrictions: "They have lost their livelihoods."

SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. — Residents and farmers in the Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District (ACID) are ready to fight for their water.

Residents believed their water contract was "iron-clad" and that, regardless of conditions, they would be given enough water to survive the summer months. Furthermore, residents were outraged to learn

. . . the water they did have was sold off,. . . . . without the public's approval or knowledge.

The biggest sign of the dry conditions: the ACID water canal has run completely dry. As a result, of the roughly 800 farms that exist in the district, almost all of them look the same... dried up and barren.

While ACID officials are hopeful this year will be a one-off, locals aren't buying it. And they're angry.

"People are mad because they have lost their livelihoods," said Ed Roberts, a Cottonwood native and Millwright. "They've lost investments that they have generations involved in. We're not a big commercial grower, but we have a lot of small farms, and a lot of people want to just support themselves, their families. And they want to pass that onto their kids, their grandchildren."

"This is going to put an end to that. We're not going to be able to pass this on if we don't fight it now and beat it." Roberts and others are working on hiring an attorney to represent them in this case. Among their other frustrations is the lack of water that's being kept in the Northstate.

For example, Shasta County saw decent rain on June 5. But, according to records, . . . all of that rainfall was released into the Delta, . . .rather than being stored . . . .and, . . .potentially, used for irrigation purposes locally.

And therein lies the root of Roberts and other ACID residents' frustrations: in their minds, the state is ignoring their well-being in favor of those who live in more urban cities.

Given the dire circumstances, many ranchers in the ACID region. . . . have been forced to sell off their cattle or horses in recent months, . . . . .simply because they can't afford to keep them alive.

One woman that spoke with KRCR, who also lives in Cottonwood, expressed how a lack of water is everybody's problem, everybody's burden.

How about a desalination plant that California thinks it’s too good for?

We don’t need one.

We have an amazing ring of watershed mountains around very a fertile valley .

I live 100 yards from the mighty Sacramento River.

This is northern California , we have loads of water flowing right by cottonwood and Anderson straight into the ocean.

Shasta resivour holds 7 years of water, and was full just a couple years back.

It’s been literally pissed away to satisfy the eco natzies over a non native introduced crap fish.

This is needless destruction .

Whatever happened to saving rainwater in barrels and local impoundment ponds?
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These farmers have, supposed to at least, Water Rights , and have never needed them before. A little late to dig ones now.

Up till 2012 it was illegeal to catch rain water in California.

Like I said , the mighty Sacramento River flows right by most of these farms. It’s not that there is no water here, it’s that the ocean is getting most of it.

the question was: “...How or what actions can Freepers take?”

I made reference to this issue on a previous thread:

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4069061/posts#25

In fact, it was this website/forum that was instrumental in putting up a resistance to a similar issue back in 2001. So, from experience, here’s are the actions Freepers can take:

1. Get Active. There is no white knight in shining armor coming to save you, neither will the lawyers. At best, the appeals will continue up to SCOTUS (you know - that bunch currently under siege). And by that time, it’ll be too late. You’ve made lawyers richer, and your farms will be gone.

2. Find locals in the area - folks who know where the water comes from. You’ll need to gather the affected people at the point of the water detour. This is where you eventually will have to re-direct the water to where it needs to go. Note: your presence there WILL probably draw in federal law enforcement. Good. You want lots of eyes on the issue at hand. But you want (and need) local law enforcement on your side. If you’re blocked, go further up stream until you find a workable branch point.

3. For those thinking or saying “this is illegal; it can’t be done, etc”, I’ll say that America - like most other countries in the past has had countless numbers of localized water wars throughout their history. This is a non-partisan, non-negotiable issue. Humans need water - period. If there is/was a legal agreement in place to supply the local communities with water, the locals will have to enforce it.

4. This may require locals to deal in-directly with the enforcers. Back in the day, they were shunned. Not served in restaurants, moved to the back of the list for service whenever possible. You see, most of the folks the government sends out to control the locals live in the area, or have to operate there. the mission will be to make it as uncomfortable and inconvenient as possible until your demands are met, or until they just leave.

Yes, we’re talking civil disobedience.

Again, look up Klamath Falls c. 2001 (OR), Jarbridge Water Brigade (ID), Sagebrush Rebellion (Northern NV), Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up operations in NB just to name a few. But these events only occurred with folks decided that doing nothing and complaining was no longer an option.

Hope that helps. And for a final word on this matter, see tag line.

jimjohn - OUT.

forgot to mention:

Get local and friendly media interested in the case. Document your actions. Do NOT look for good press from the legacy media - no matter how nice they are to you. When talking to the GOOD, remember you’re talking to people outside the area for support (using local jargon may not work). Also remember that once you start to get attention, the legacy media will be looking for anyone or anything to use against you. (see: Canadian Truckers).

gotta run,

jimjohn

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