..in a closed door meeting in Washington, attended by Senator Feinstein, other Congressional leaders, and representatives of the Bureau of Reclamation, discussions were held on a proposed giveaway of about one million acre-feet in water rights (enough water for two million families for a year), plus the proposed transfer of a good portion of the largest reservoir south of Sacramento, to a select group of influential agri-business interests.

The proposal discussed was advanced by the Westlands Water District, one of the most heavily subsidized irrigation districts in the country. If their proposal is accepted by the federal government, Westlands would be granted permanent rights to almost a million acre feet of California water in connection with the settlement of a long standing lawsuit against the Bureau of Reclamation.

Incredibly, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said that “it seems to be a sound proposal” because it relieves the federal government of an “enormous financial burden” in fixing the drainage problem. But there is no assurance that Westlands’ cure will work.

Westlands general manager and general counsel Tom Birmingham is now pushing a “global” settlement to the outstanding drainage lawsuits (filed by water districts downslope from Westlands) and Westlands’ desire for a long-term secure water supply. In recent closed door meetings with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Valley congressmen Dennis Cardoza and Jim Costa (who represents the Westlands area), Natural Resources Defense Council attorney Hamilton Candee and a few others, the various stakeholders have tried to work out a deal. The news media is not permitted to cover these talks while decisions are made involving billions of taxpayer dollars.

Ed Imhoff, a retired federal scientist who headed a post-Kesterson $50 million, five-year study of the drainage problem from 1985-1990, was also kept out of the talks. Feinstein reportedly insisted “too many” people were in on the talks. Imhoff has been critical of the proposed drainage solutions of both Reclamation and Westlands. His 1990 study, dubbed the “Rainbow Report” noted land retirement was the cheapest option.
[snip]

Feinstein also seems unclear on the concept that even though the Bureau estimates it may take up to $2.6 billion to produce a drainage program, Westlands is ultimately required under the 1960 legislation to pay for it, albeit over 40 or 50 years and interest free. Neither the district court nor the Ninth Circuit has ever held that Congress must appropriate money to build a drainage system or that Westlands would not have to ultimately pay for it.

Moreover, few people in Washington seem to be questioning why Westlands should get off the hook for the $489 million still owed on the delivery system. If a man builds you a house and a plumbing system and fouls up the pipes underneath the bathroom, you don’t get the house for free. You just get your plumbing fixed.

Following a meeting in her office on Aug.1, Senator Feinstein said of a potential agreement “the devil is in the details.” Environmentalists fear she isn’t really paying attention to the details or looking out for the interests of American taxpayers and especially Californians, who are cutting back usage in urban areas while Westlands’ 500-600 growers could get enough water annually to meet the needs of a city of eight million people, or two cities the size of Los Angeles.

Could be anywheres . . *G*

Anyhoots, keep up the posts, info and such . . . .

I’ll be tunin my dobro’s and pickin at Camp Howdy, Strawberry Fest, USA.
Twice a year . . .*G*

Good stuff you offer . . . I know a lot of folks from Santa Cruz, CA regin . . . my fest mates at a few places over the more recent years . .

http://www.strawberrymusic.com

http://www.cbaontheweb.org

You pick?

I can’t politely express how I feel about her despite how I’ve felt about her when I was younger (and stupid, apparently).

But I’ll GLADLY fight her ambitions any time, anywhere . . . if there’s a list, put me on it.

I’m not sure I even care about WHAT issue it’s all about her alfie . . . if it’s about SciFi, I’m agin it. *grr*

I’ve a recipe for SouthWest Buttermilk Cornbread and Chili Verde that takes DAYS to prep.

It’s in an MS Word doc . . . I’d be honored to share it with ya, or anyone who likes some green chili on serious breading . . . *G* Sorry for the OT . . . food, I love it . . . ;-)