“Early settlers who lived near where Friant dam is today likened the noise of spawning salmon to a waterfall, noting the fish were so abundant you could practically cross the river on their backs. These magnificent salmon runs migrated upriver each year, supporting a vibrant commercial fishery in addition to plentiful recreational and subsistence fishing. The Restoration Program will restore a living river that provides a home for wildlife, and healthy salmon runs to revitalize commercial and recreational fishing.”
–Monty Schmitt, Senior Scientist and San Joaquin River Project Manager for the Natural Resources Defense Council in San Francisco, quoted in The Daily Kos hailing Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s signing of the Record of Decison to restore the San Joaquin River.
In plain language, the feds have decided how best to restore the river, and now construction can proceed.
Also noteworthy in the post is this:
“Earlier this year, Congressman Devin Nunes sponsored HR 1837, a bill that would stop San Joaquin River Restoration, block planning efforts in the Delta, block science-based protections for salmon under protected species law, gut the federal protections and funding for water supply and salmon restoration under the CVPIA, and waive the requirement that new federal dam projects in the Valley comply with NEPA. The bill passed through the House, but failed to garner support in the Senate.”
It is absolutely chilling that Nunes’ treacherous and backward bill passed the House. It clarifies the stakes in the coming election.
