Tom Fregosi: Meeting was civil despite frustration over wells

Thank you for publishing “We were civil in our water meeting, despite assault on our lifestyle” (Opinions, July 5). I attended the meeting and concur that it was civil despite the intense frustration expressed by many. Being concerned about the unprecedented expansion of nut orchards and the approval of 300-plus deep well permits does not make us “anti-ag.” Being concerned about the accelerated depletion of our aquifer does not mean we think food miraculously appears in grocery stores. We know the earth produces food which requires water. We also know that developing overseas markets, rising nut prices and opportunism are why thousands of acres of new orchards have expanded toward the foothills – not the need to feed Californians.

Confronted by angry citizens concerned about our ground water, County Supervisor Bill O’Brien attempted to deflect attention toward Sacramento and other policymakers while trumpeting the county’s 21-member Water Advisory Committee and the new ordinance finally requiring an environmental quality review for new well permits. Bragging about slamming the barn door shut after the animals have escaped impresses no one.

As hydrologist Vance Kennedy explained, groundwater is interconnected and what happens in Oakdale and Knights Ferry affects us all.

This story was originally published July 7, 2015 at 5:28 PM with the headline "Tom Fregosi: Meeting was civil despite frustration over wells."