Friday, December 16, 2016

New Water Law Boosts Pumping from Delta Putting Fishery and Farms at Risk

A far-reaching water infrastructure bill signed into law today by President Obama, will deeply affect California. It is a major victory for Central Valley agribusiness. Water managers can override endangered species protections, making it easier to pump water from northern California. But it could have significant negative impacts on the Bay Delta’s environment and economy - and to the entire west coast fishing industry. The Water Resources Development Act passed by large margins in the House and Senate. But a last-minute rider attached to the Senate version made its passage controversial, prompting an angry Senator Barbara Boxer – who co-sponsored the bill – into opposing its passage. Pacifica’s Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.