en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/771967 Comments by jamvol http://biggovernment.com/jloudon/2010/01/25/obama-to-california-water-its-not-a-right-its-a-privilege/#IDComment53987575 Mr. Loudon, You said that you have done research on the issue. What happens on a delta/estuary that is influenced by tides when river flow is reduced? How many different species of fish are sucked into the pumps each year? Why does the river flow the wrong way drawing in more salt water. Why can you look out in the river and see where tidal rips are stronger than the natural river flow? Where does the selenium drained from the farms in the desert end up at? What affect did dams like Shasta and Friant have on steelhead, Chinook and Coho salmon. Why have all the fish species declined in the delta? I'm not an environmentalist and I also live along the delta. I've also watched the decline in just the last 5 years and it has been dramatic. I don't consider Desalination plants natural but I do agree with Bill that the Federal and State government should be investing for LA MWD and the Agricultural sector that need water. Grizzly and Joyce islands were planted with fresh water plants for waterfowl. The plants died! Want to take a guess why. Also those that own boats here are or will be subject to brackish water. If you are referring to your boat being on a river/lake in Missouri it is a total different area far from the ocean. Have you been to the delta? The two gates project was being rushed by MWD abd the AG sector, Science didn't indicate that it would work, therefor maybe it is good that the project be reviewed. The latest BIOP and possible reduction of 5-7 percent water, There were numerous issues that were ignored and when it was reviewed these were exposed. Also once again I don't see anything about commercial salmon industry losses, not just commercial boats but job losses and how much California looses in tax funds. Two years closure and a third coming up. It wasn't all ocean conditions either. OH, by the way tell me how many small family farms remain. The central valley project intent was to help small farms. Unemployment in those same areas has held steady at around 30 percent too. I think you need to contact water4fish.org or salmonwaternow.org and talk to someone that has been affected. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:31:18 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/jloudon/2010/01/25/obama-to-california-water-its-not-a-right-its-a-privilege/#IDComment53987575 http://biggovernment.com/jloudon/2010/01/25/obama-to-california-water-its-not-a-right-its-a-privilege/#IDComment53864735 For those that list the smelt as a reason, it is incorrect. The smelt is an indicator species that is in decline because excessive water has been diverted from the delta for agriculteral areas in the desert. Westlands and the other main areas are owned by multi millionaires/billionaires. Other species of fish are chinook salmon, coho salmon, green sturgeon, Striped bass. There are farms and cities along the delta that face salt water intrusion from reduced water flow. Farms received 85 percent of allocated water. Between 2003-2006 excessive amounts of water were diverted at the delta pumps, 85 percent of the total water went to the AG industry. The delta is finite and has reached the point where more water isn't available. Instead of all the tax payers in the state paying for those that benefit from the diversion, those that benefit should pay the costs. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:16:08 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/jloudon/2010/01/25/obama-to-california-water-its-not-a-right-its-a-privilege/#IDComment53864735