Merced critics get a jump on river flow hearing

Dozens of Merced County people made a two-hour drive to Sacramento to get their three minutes before a state water board this week.

They could have waited until Dec. 19, when the board will hold a session in Merced on its proposed flow increases for our local rivers. But they wanted to make it clear from Tuesday’s start of the proceedings that they do not like the idea.

So they waited as the State Water Resources Control Board heard lengthy presentations by agency staffers and environmentalists who favor higher volumes on the Merced, Tuolumne and Stanislaus rivers. Just before noon, it was time for the general public to speak under the three-minute limit.

The Merced people noted the county’s slow recovery from the housing bust and the stress on water supplies during the drought that started in 2012.

“They have already taken water from us, but they want to take more water,” said Fernando Aguilera of Merced Atlas Soccer Academy, who delivered about 800 letters in opposition.

Leaders in business, local government and other fields approached the podium, too, as did Future Farmers of America members from Hilmar High School. Those blue-jacketed students left the board with something to chew on at lunch.

The audience also included a smaller number of critics from Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, along with flow-increase advocates from fishing and other interest groups. Many will likely be there when the hearing moves to Stockton, Modesto and Merced later this month.

The Modesto Bee will be there, too – and talking in advance with people who study fish, grow crops, run city water systems and play other roles in this complex issue.

This story was originally published December 2, 2016 at 5:32 PM with the headline "Merced critics get a jump on river flow hearing."