Sacramento Delta Water Accord

Re “Landmark Accord Reached on Use of Bay-Delta Water,” Dec. 16:

The historic agreement reached by Gov. Pete Wilson and senior members of the Clinton Administration brings to an end the interminable squabbling that has stalemated reasonable water supply planning, development and use. The uncertainty of our water future, which has threatened California’s economic recovery, is resolved--at least temporarily.

The Southern California Water Committee applauds this pact to protect the delta and provide reliable water supplies to cities, farms and the environment; however, we must not lose sight of the need to extend the agreement and to construct badly needed water supply facilities.

Wilson has called for a delta “fix.” The stage is now set for Californians to take command, make the bold stroke, and complete the State Water Project.

ROBERT A. KRIEGER, Trustee

Southern California Water Committee

Irvine

* In “Saving the State’s Lifeblood: That Historic Water Accord” (editorial, Dec. 20), The Times was on target in explaining the flexibility and beneficial aspects of the Endangered Species Act. The act’s only drawback is that it usually takes effect too late in the game--when a species has literally reached the brink of extinction. By that time, the decisions that have to be made concerning a particular activity that is harming a species can be far-reaching. As you noted, the act needs sharp teeth to force those tough decisions.

A strong Endangered Species Act will be necessary until we as a people, and as a species, come to grips with the reality that there are limits to what we can build, dam, cut down or dig up. All people, and in particular, those who condemn the act as an affront to private property rights and progress, must learn to accept a sense of responsibility to the children of today, and to the children of future generations.

JAY THOMAS WATSON

Regional Director

The Wilderness Society

San Francisco

* The agreement returns decisions about California water to the state, where they belong. However, it does not eliminate the need for fundamental reform of the Endangered Species Act. The inflexibility of the act has taken a significant human toll in terms of lost jobs and businesses in the state. We need to ask ourselves what is the true purpose of the law? If a species is considered endangered, is this true at a national, state, county, city or back yard level? How far do we go?

DAVID L. MOORE, President

Western Growers Assn.

Irvine