Don Swatman: Tunnels a death threat for Valley; vote yes on Proposition 53
Imagine trees in our parks, along our streets all dying. Consider thousands of acres of farmland dry and out of production. Think of homeowners abandoning their landscaping. We had a preview during the drought. Now we face a more significant and continuous drought if we cannot change the minds of the State Water Board in its determination to steal huge additional amounts of our Tuolumne River water.
The plan to divert much of the Sacramento River beneath the Delta, will allow ocean water to move in. To prevent that, the Merced, Tuolumne and Stanislaus rivers are expected to supply additional flows to keep the saltwater back.
Our forefathers developed dams to create an oasis and made Stanislaus County what it is today.
Hetch Hetchy and Don Pedro Reservoir supply water not only to our farms but also to Modesto, San Francisco and 28 Bay Area cities. We have a vast network of canals and pipes directing water to productive use. This system provides not only water, but electricity, recreation, jobs and the economic foundation of our region. Doubling what the state takes and shipping it south will destroy our way of life.
No public vote will be taken on this incredibly expensive plan. To derail the plan, send protest letters to water board, vote yes on Prop 53, spread the word and attend the meetings.
Don Swatman, Modesto
This story was originally published November 3, 2016 at 3:05 PM with the headline "Don Swatman: Tunnels a death threat for Valley; vote yes on Proposition 53."