The State - News from Feb. 2, 1986
A coalition of officials and farmers from western Fresno County is asking Interior Secretary Donald P. Hodel to keep the polluted Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge open for two more years. In a letter to Hodel, the group asked for additional time to find a way to solve farm drainage problems. Selenium in runoff from farm soil has been blamed for bird deaths and deformities at Kesterson near Los Banos. The Westlands Water District agreed with the Interior Department last April to close drains leading to Kesterson by June 30, leaving the future of farming uncertain on 42,000 acres. The farmers want closure delayed until February, 1988, the date chosen by the state Water Resources Control Board for final cleanup of Kesterson. Rep. Tony Coelho (D-Merced) supports the extension, but it is opposed by Merced County officials and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
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