Vance Kennedy: No time to waste lining up water, economic study
The great editorial “We must challenge the state’s water grab” (Opinion, Jan. 25) pointed out the need for a thorough evaluation of the likely effects of the State Water Resources Control Board’s plans to require much more of the local rivers to flow to the Bay. This is a huge red flag to our community and must not be ignored.
The cost to a combination of local agencies to hire a competent company to do a thorough study of the effects of the proposed water rules is minuscule compared to the certain damage it will do to our whole society for decades to come. Once the state board decision is made, it will be extremely costly in time and money to reverse.
Such studies cannot be done overnight. So preparations must start now. The Bee has suggested some possibilities (CSU Stanislaus, UOP, UC Merced), but there may be other organizations that specialize in such studies. We surely must have local people who can rapidly come up with the best consulting outfits and get started on fundraising.
If we go to state officials with only a cry that it will hurt us, as done in the past, they will ignore the plea. However, if we have incontestable data to support our position, we will be in a much better position to fight or, if necessary, to make minor compromises.
If the state water board is planning on a decision by November, as The Bee mentioned as a possibility, our report must have been completed long before then. I suggest we get the funding for such a study established by Feb. 20. Meanwhile, a separate group would be asked to find someone capable of doing the study. Target April 1 or earlier to start and Aug. 1 to complete the study.
Everybody believes public agencies cannot possibly act fast. If true, this might be the time for those wealthy individuals who have a lot at stake to jump in. In any case, this is an emergency. Someone to head up the effort should be selected as soon as possible. Additional comments to The Bee could be helpful.
Vance Kennedy is a retired U.S. Geographical Survey hydrologist who grows citrus in Modesto.
This story was originally published January 28, 2015 at 2:08 PM with the headline "Vance Kennedy: No time to waste lining up water, economic study."