Water Project Reform Proposals
New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley’s column (Commentary, July 22) on Central Valley Project reform clearly illustrates his lack of understanding of California’s diverse economy and water situation. It also demonstrates the folly of having a senator 3,000 miles away and with no connection to California dictate water policy to our state’s 30 million citizens.
Water is the lifeblood of the Central Valley. The CVP supplies irrigation water to more than 3 million acres of farmland to grow a variety of crops. Additionally, the CVP provides drinking water to more than 2 million people in the Central Valley.
The Senate turned down Bradley’s devastating CVP reform proposal earlier this year in favor of California Sen. John Seymour’s more reasonable and sensible approach. Bradley’s bill would have legislated a permanent drought in the Central Valley by reallocating vast amounts of water to the environment at the expense of entire towns. Seymour’s approach achieves the dual goals of improving the environment and protecting California’s fragile economy.
JULIANNE DIENER
MATTHEW E. DIENER, Five Points, Calif.
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