Folks: Go to www.pacificlegal.org to see what the Pacific Legal Foundation is doing about the devastating water cutbacks for California farmers. 


The PFL had filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government declaring that protecting the Delta Smelt is unconstitutional. Following an adverse judgement by Federal Judge Oliver Wanger in Fresno, PLF is filing an appeal with the the Ninth Circuit Court.


PLF has strong evidence that Protecting the Smelt is Unconstitutional. 

 

                                                    
The image above is a Westlands Water District irrigation turnout in Western Fresno County, standing unbelievably dry for the second year in a row. This image was taken during the 2009 summer season, with thousands of acres of prime farm land laying dry and idle—nearing a potential new Dust Bowl. Additionally, growers are losing their livelihoods, and farm workers are unemployed—as many as 45 percent in some West Side communities. This is all due to a flawed biological opinion regarding the three-inch Delta Smelt.


Also, they are trying to convince the National Academy of Sciences to look at all stressors in the Delta, while reviewing the U.S. Fish and Game biological opinion, which is the linchpin causing the federal pumps to stay off during critical delivery times for growers in the spring and summer.  


Again: go to www.pacificlegal.org to see what the Pacific Legal Foundation is doing and view important Press Conference information.

It’s happening and it’s good news! Rain and snowfall—about 85 percent of normal, and there is plenty of winter left to increase the rain and snowfall.


Let this be a fire-bell ringing in the night for the Federal Government who falsely think we are in a drought, and that is the reason why growers cannot farm on the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley. 


FEDS: Do your part and allow the federal pumps to be turned on to provide critical water deliveries to the valley’s and cities of California—–INSTEAD OF LETTING ALL THE CRITICAL WATER GO OUT TO SEA!!


Without the pumps being on when farmers need the water, we have 40 percent-plus unemployment in the West Side communities—and thousands of acres of prime farm land, sitting idle.

I do hope the New Year will be good for all Western growers of all crops. The water year is shaping up good and hopefully will continue to fill the soil profiles of the west.