KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | KMPH Hosts Water Crisis Special

KMPH Hosts Water Crisis Special

By Clint Olivier

FRESNO - Studio "B" at KMPH became a forum to identify what is causing the water crisis in the San Joaquin Valley, and explore ideas as to how to solve it.

"We have 40 percent unemployment in Firebaugh. That's the most painful thing because what people want in Firebaugh is to work," she said.

Firebaugh Mayor Marcia Sablan spoke out on behalf of her decimated community, and was joined by Mendota Mayor Bob Silva.

"Agriculture is king in the Valley. When you cut the livelihood of a farmer, we suffer, the community suffers, the farm workers suffer, the businesses suffer. The only way to kick start the economy in the Valley is water to the farming communities," he said.

But economist Richard Walker disagreed saying the lack of water isn't to blame for the disaster on the west side, instead it has a lot to do with the bad economy.

"But to say that this is all due to the water would be to exaggerate the importance of the water in what is a very general great recession," he said.

"The responsibility falls directly on the Congress, both the United States Senate, and the House of Representatives and ultimately on the President," Devin Nunes said.

Representative Devin Nunes identified two separate issues contributing to the crisis.

Number one, the State of California's involvement with the so-called Two Gate Solution and the upcoming water bond measure on next November's ballot.

Number two: environmental court opinions and the federal government's decision on whether to turn the Tracy pumps on.

"But the bottome line is the Congress wrote the law, the Congress needs to change the law and the Congress can do it now," he said.

State Senator Dave Cogdill says he believes California voters need to pass the water bond as part of any comprehensive water solution for the Central Valley's farmers, and the world's dinner tables.

"It's about creating a system that in my opinion would allow us to manage wet years better, so that we can get through a prolonged drought," he said.

Congressmen Jim Costa, George Radanovich and Dennis Cardoza appeared via satellite from Washington D.C.

Congressman Costa said the administration can do more, and Radanovich laid the blame at the doors of the President and the Speaker of the House.