Dear Friends,
On Friday, the U.S. House of Representative passed the 2011 Continuing Resolution, a must pass spending bill, to keep the Federal Government funded. Language included in this base bill, however, would defund the implementation of biological decisions made for reduced Delta pumping, thereby allowing record level of water exports from the Delta to resume.
While some House Representatives, like Congressman Devin Nunes (CA – 21st District), are calling it a water restoration measure, this backdoor attempt to thwart the implementation of sound Delta management principles, would bring the final death blow to several Delta fisheries which are on life support presently.
The Continuing Resolution, however, must now go to the Senate and pass through the Senate before March 4, 2011. Please call Senator Feinstein and ask her to strip this Delta killing provision from the 2011 Continuing Resolution.
Remind her that the California and Oregon salmon fishing industry is tied to the health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Please also tell her that the Delta farming community, a multi-billion dollar annual economy, is also tied to Delta water quality. We cannot fix the water challenges in Central Valley communities by destroying working Delta farms and California’s fishing communities. Available State and Federal funding resources must be used to create water self-sufficiency in each region of California and to reduce dependence on Delta water exports.
Senator Feinstein’s office numbers are as follows: (202) 224-3841, Washington D.C.; (415) 393-0707, San Francisco; Los Angeles (310) 914-7300; (619) 231-9712 San Diego; and 559-485-7430, Fresno.
Thank you,
Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla
Restore the Delta