Scott Anderson: If water grab deprives us of property, state should pay us for it
While the most important aspect of the state’s water theft from the three rivers in our area is what it will do to our economy, food, property values, water quality, etc., one aspect being forgotten is recreation. I grew up going to Lake Don Pedro. I have enjoyed many camping trips, boating, fishing with my dad, and waterskiing there. It absolutely infuriates me that I might not get to share those experiences with my children due to the state’s immoral plan of using fish as an excuse to send more water to Los Angeles.
How many businesses will go under if recreation is no longer a possibility on our lakes? If this plan happens, the state should be forced to pay every boat, houseboat and property owner the full cost for what people paid for their investments and recreation vehicles. But, hey, as long as a few fish are saved and golf courses in Beverly Hills are green, I guess Jerry Brown thinks it’s worth it.
Scott Anderson, Modesto
This story was originally published October 18, 2016 at 4:47 PM with the headline "Scott Anderson: If water grab deprives us of property, state should pay us for it."