Gail Altieri: Almond trees a new ‘protected species’
Has anyone figured out what the drought doesn’t effect, what is protected above all? Bingo, almond trees, millions of them. They’re a protected species.
Who and what protects them?
▪ Multi-million dollar nut companies and mega-farms such as Trinitis, Blue Diamond, Naraghi, etc.
▪ High-powered local law firms who protect and defend the million-dollar farms and companies that own and plant trees.
▪ Deep-deep wells of 900 feet or more that can pump groundwater way after your shallow 200-foot well runs dry; and the new drillionaire drilling companies that drill them.
▪ Investors from afar, or those investors who live far beyond Oakdale and surrounding communities.
▪ Local government agencies whose boards are dominated by orchard owners or processing companies.
▪ Local “biggie” farmers.
▪ Local legislators who get money from the investors, mega-farms and nut companies.
▪ China and some smaller countries who purchase the nuts so all the above can reap the the dollars.
Yes, those new trees being planted during the drought are more important than people and water.
Those folks, a) all have safety nets; b) rarely live here, and c) can afford to move to greener pastures if needed. Can you win? No! This is big business. They don’t lose.
Gail Altieri, Oakdale
This story was originally published April 13, 2015 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Gail Altieri: Almond trees a new ‘protected species’."