Congressional Leaders to Convene Farms & Salmon Summit

Congressional Leaders to Convene Farms & Salmon Summit

by Dan Bacher

Corporate agribusiness "Astroturf" groups and their political allies such as Representatives Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) and Devin Nunes (R-Visalia) have waged a media war over the past few years to portray the battle to save Central Valley chinook salmon and Delta fish populations as one of "fish versus jobs" or, more recently, "farmers versus fishermen."

Fortunately, increasing numbers of Californians see that the cynical attempt to pit farmers against commercial and recreational fishermen is in reality a false dichotomy, since family farmers and fishermen, along with California Indian Tribes and grass roots environmentalists, are now working together to preserve the imperiled Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and the fish and communities that depend on a healthy Delta for their livelihoods. Both farmers and fishermen are food producers - and both farming and fishing create thousands of jobs.

Delta family farmers, fishermen, Tribal members, Delta residents and environmental advocates have led the battle to stop the construction of the peripheral canal-tunnel - and to stop federal and state attacks on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for Central Valley steelhead, Sacramento River chinook salmon, Delta smelt, green sturgeon and other imperiled species.

To demand action to protect Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta agriculture from the threat of increased water exports and rebuild the West’s iconic salmon runs, U.S. Representatives John Garamendi, Mike Thompson, Jackie Speier, Jerry McNerney, and George Miller (staff) will convene with community leaders, agricultural producers, recreational and commercial salmon fishermen and businesses, agricultural and conservation groups, and friends of the Delta at the historic "Farms & Salmon Summit" on Wednesday, April 27, from 11 am - 2 pm at the Antioch Community Center, 4703 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, CA.

This summit is designed to bring attention to Delta-dependent farming and fishing communities, and to provide a forum to discuss long-term solutions to California’s water woes. The event will include a free "Delta Bounty Reception" hosted by Coastside Fishing Club Grill Crew, Giusti’s Place, McCormack Ranch, and Rivermaid Trading Company.

"Delta-dependent communities, jobs, and families are at stake in the tug of war over California’s water, along with our priceless heritage," according to Jim McCarthy in a summit news advisory. "By working together to support policies that protect the Delta and its fish, we can ensure that both fish and farms have the water they need to thrive. Through inclusive, transparent, and science-based public processes will we make significant long-lasting progress on our state’s contentious water issues – and heal the Delta."

"This event is a must for salmon supporters," said Dick Pool, administrator of http://www.water4fish.org. "Our interests are being bulldozed by those who are attempting to write us off and pump our salmon water south."

Pool emphasized that Congressman Tom McClintock "has declared war on salmon"

"On April 5th and 11th he held hearings in Washington DC and Fresno vowing to destroy the government protections for salmon so that more Delta water can be pumped to junior water rights holders in the San Joaquin Valley," said Pool. “In orchestrating his water plan he said, 'The facts we gather from this hearing will be instrumental as we begin the process to rescind government policies at the root of the San Joaquin Valley’s misery.'"

Congressman Garamendi said, “The water wars are escalating and the salmon crisis deepens. We need to get some solutions on the table and then back them. We need your support to get this done. Please join us.”

The schedule for the event is as follows:
11:00am – 11:30am Opening and Congressional remarks
11:30am – 12:30pm Expert panels from farming and fishing community
12:30pm – 1:00pm Public comment
1:00pm – 1:30pm Media availability with members of Congress and others
1:00pm – 2:00pm Delta Bounty Reception

For updates, please visit: http://www.salmonwaternow.org. For a flyer on the summit, go to: http://water4fish.org/res/pdf/salmon_summit_flyer.pdf

For background information or to arrange advance interviews with farmers, fishermen or others, please contact: Jim McCarthy, 541-941-9450, jmccarthy.consulting [at] gmail.com.