Posted by red on 4/19/2006, 8:12 am When Friant Dam was built a half-century ago, it dried up a river that once supported a salmon run and was navigable by large vessels from Fresno to San Francisco Bay. Environmentalists have dreamed for years of seeing some of that restored. But the dam also allowed the creation of a multibillion-dollar farm economy on the east side of the valley. That's why these negotiations are so crucial. We believe a reasonable compromise can result in a restored river and a vibrant farm economy. Lawyers told Karlton that they have agreed on key issues, including water flows and channel improvements. But other issues have not been resolved: How long the project will take, how it will be paid for and how downstream users will be affected. It's time to get this deal completed.
4.246.153.163
River-restoration dealneeds to be finished
Last Updated: April 19, 2006, 04:40:41 AM PDT
U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton wisely has threatened to take the 18-year legal battle to restore the San Joaquin River to trial if progress isn't made immediately on the protracted settlement negotiations. A deal should have been struck by now between farmers, environmentalists and the federal government.
Lawyers told Karlton in his Sacramento courtroom last week that progress is being made in negotiations, but the judge is skeptical. In 2004, Karlton ruled that the river must be restored. That was a huge victory for environmentalists, and the question is how the restoration should take place. The ruling set off efforts to craft a compromise that would protect farmers who use Friant Dam water for irrigation, while adding enough flow to make the San Joaquin a true river again.
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