feinstein's response to two gates project

blkdog812 · Post by **blkdog812** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:54 am

Dear Sir:

Thank you for writing to express your opposition to the Two Gates project. I appreciate hearing your concerns, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.

As you know, the Two Gates Demonstration Project would install temporary structures in Old and Middle Rivers. If the project works as intended, more water could be pumped to Central Valley farmers without endangering the Delta Smelt. I am hopeful that the Two Gates project could allow increases flows of water to the Central Valley to provide near-term relief to struggling agricultural communities while maintaining environmental protections.

I also understand that there are concerns that the Two Gates project may negatively impact the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem as well as recreational boating opportunities. You may be interested to know that the Bureau of Reclamation recently released the Draft Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) for the proposed Two Gates Fish Protection Demonstration Project for public comment. According to the Draft EA/FONSI, boat ramps would be used to portage vessels of less than 24 feet and 10,000 pounds when the gates are closed. Boaters with larger vessels would have to schedule their trips during times when the gates were open or seek alternate routes. The Draft EA/FONSI is available on the Bureau of Reclamations website, and the public review and comment period is open until November 30, 2009. If you wish to submit a comment, you can do so by postal mail, email or fax to the Bureau of Reclamation at the following address.

Mr. Mario Manzo
Bureau of Reclamation
2800 Cottage Way, MP-730
Sacramento, CA 95825
mmanzo@usbr.gov
(916) 978-5094 - fax

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for the chronic water shortages devastating California, but it is clear that the status quo is no longer viable. California has a water infrastructure built for a population of 16 million people, but today our population is rapidly approaching 40 million. The modernization and improvement of our State's water infrastructure is long overdue. The Two Gates project is potentially one part of the comprehensive solution that is needed to address the State's chronic water crisis.

I applaud the California Assembly and Senate for passing a comprehensive package of five water bills, including a water bond, on November 4, 2009. The legislation passed by the State Legislature represents a major milestone, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive, long-term plan to repair the Delta and build the new water infrastructure that is essential to ensuring that California can meet its current and future water needs. It is now time for the voters to approve this critical water bond in order to move forward with the important work that must be done to address California's aging water infrastructure, restore the Delta ecosystem, and increase the quality and reliability of the State's water supply.

Again, thank you for writing. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.

Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

hydro · Post by **hydro** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:59 am

What a farce! How can she claim its time to "repair the Delta" when what is being proposed is all about exporting even more water south while preventing salt/brackish water from being sucked upstream and sent south by blocking the flow with the new gates .

Feinstein needs to by put in the canal and sent south because thats who she is really working for anyway!

Nitro5150 · Post by **Nitro5150** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 7:56 am

I don't believe there is a "chronic water shortage problem" . The state population is the problem. There is only so much water. Two dams to stop backflow of brackish water doesn't deal with what I believe is the true cause of the "water shortage" problem. The politicians/water management people have maxed out water usage to the point where a few years of below average rain fall is a catastrophy.

bigstick · Post by **bigstick** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:08 am

What a friggin joke! Feinstein is as crooked as they come.

Enjoy the Delta while you can. It will be gone in a couple of years!!

offduty · Post by **offduty** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 2:57 pm

I had a friend the other day tell me of a study to dam the sespe above Ojai, Ventura and Santa Paula in Ventura County. I for one would love to see this happen, I was told it would take 25 - 30 years to fill naturally and would be a huge lake bigger than Mead. I think what we need is something like this. Diamond Valley reservoir was a big step in the right direction. We need more reservoirs in California.

Yes our population has exploded and there is only so much to go around so naturally if there is more water north they will want to ship it to where there is a bigger population and less water, south. I feel that some new reservoirs are the answer and to damn the sespe would be a huge reservoir for So Cal water that would keep from hurting No Cal water systems. I have also heard that the majority of DVL water goes to LA. Maybe this is something we need to push on our legislators it may be cheaper and more environmentally conscious way to address the issue by protecting No Cal and helping So Cal.

Rich

ppickerell · Post by **ppickerell** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:29 pm

Hmmm, I agree that Southern California needs many more reservoirs. Build em and I hope to come and fish them in ten years after you build them. But we don't need anymore reservoirs in Northern California. Feinstein and this water bond must be stopped.

texas john · Post by **texas john** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:20 pm

Feinsteins is a joke as well is Boxer....Did any of you see the video of Boxer at a senate hearing, she was talking to a General in the Army Corps...He kept answering her questions with yes maam and no maam to which Boxer interupted him and told him to address her as Senator, she had worked very hard for that title and should be addressed as such.

It is time for a change, the people in charge have lost touch with the real world. We all need to stand together and vote them out!!!!!

Post by **backseatfishergirl** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:32 am

there are copies of the letters that got the whole study "re evaluated" that feinstein pushed thru at rocket speed

http://www.examiner.com/x-28369-Stockto ... rnia-Delta

bubba · Post by **bubba** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:24 am

I got this sent to me today. Interesting read and shows who the senator is really protecting and its not you and me.

http://www.lloydgcarter.com/content/091 ... oyd-carter

So much for being a democrat. Lets keep the rich buys rich off the backs of the poorest laborers and to hell with the environment to boot!