Bush Cutting Sweetheart Deals For Water In CA Central Valley - SacBee

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Six House Democrats are accusing the Bush administration of brokering sweetheart water deals with certain Central Valley farm districts that could affect how much water is available to California's cities and environment over the next 25 years. In an Aug. 20 letter sent to the Interior Department, the six California representatives - led by Rep. George Miller of Martinez and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi - say they are "extremely concerned" about the ongoing contract renewals and suggest they are being rushed to precede the November elections.


It looks like the Bush administration wants to hand a big payoff to agribusiness in exchange for their support," said Miller, who called on federal officials to delay signing the pacts until Congress and the public can review them further.

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Two months ago, federal officials proposed a new set of 40-year contracts for 140 old-time water users in the Sacramento Valley. Those pacts would entitle the so-called "settlement contractors" to receive 2.2 million acre-feet of water each year - enough for 4.4 million homes. That same month, federal officials also renewed contracts for 36 water agencies in Northern California with more junior water rights. It also is preparing a new long-term contract for Westlands Water District near Fresno, even though its contract doesn't expire for another three years.

Hal Candee, a lawyer for the Natural Resources Defense Council, says the Bush administration has wide legal latitude to encourage conservation through varied pricing but has refused to pursue those options. "California's water needs have changed dramatically in recent years, but these contracts just lock in the status quo," said Barry Nelson, who works with Candee at NRDC in San Francisco. As an example, Nelson pointed to Sacramento Valley farm districts that get benefits from Shasta Dam and other federal facilities but pay nothing for their base supply. Some of those districts then turn around and sell that water for more than $100 an acre-foot.

"It's a huge windfall," Nelson said."

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[Cha]

1. Once again bush is screwing with politics to

get votes and this time at the last minute.

Go NDRC ..fight those bushrots!