The ever-existent clash between environmental and agricultural
concerns had loomed to potentially leave San Benito County farmers
even more desperate for water because protection of the delta smelt
had threatened to prompt a coinciding, drastic cutback in imported
supply from the San Louis Reservoir.
The ever-existent clash between environmental and agricultural concerns had loomed to potentially leave San Benito County farmers even more desperate for water because protection of the delta smelt had threatened to prompt a coinciding, drastic cutback in imported supply from the San Louis Reservoir.
The prospect – a supply reduction of 20 percent to 35 percent, or more – stood to leave some local farmers with no other choice than to watch as crops wilt and die in the coming months.
Although the potential crisis for local farmers was averted for now with a decision by the state to resume pumping Sunday from the south delta to the reservoir – thus, negating the reduction – we trust local officials will perceive it as a continuing problem and take actions to prevent impacts to our farmers.
Water and farming officials should feel fortunate for now. And state leaders deserve credit for pulling the plug, so to speak, on the shutting down of pumps caused by some of the migrating, threatened species being killed weeks ago as they sought out freshwater for spawning. State leaders, including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, also have taken a proactive, long-term approach in setting forth plans for better sustainability of the perpetually-fragile delta.
As the San Benito County Water District keeps a close eye on the issue, water and farming officials must come together and plan for the worst – the possibility that concerns over the two-inch smelt stand as a serious threat to agriculture here.
For one, it’s apparent the reservoir’s viability as a reliable water source is as threatened as the species itself. A higher sense of urgency must be felt, and it’s time to consider setting forth a more concrete plan locally for a future that includes using more alternative water sources outside of the reservoir.
Environmentalists have warned the delta smelt’s viability depends in part on the natural water flow from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta on southward.
As the debate heats up again regionally and statewide, local farming and water officials ultimately should get more involved in the process, including analysis of research surrounding the perceived importance of the delta smelt to the region’s ecology and, if deemed necessary, lobbying against such environmental protections.
With drought conditions and other factors already putting a hamper on farming here, we can ill afford, and for now narrowly averted, the likely impact from such a drastic supply reduction.
