Biology 112, Introduction to Ecology, Summer 2015 (McDill)
Snow Mountain fears are baseless.
Source: http://www.davisenterprise.com/forum/letters/snow-mountain-fears-are-baseless
June 18, 2015
A Letter to the Editor from Vicky Murphy of Brooks was published on June 12. In this letter Ms. Murphy incorrectly implies that designation of the Berryessa-Snow Mountain region as a National Monument could potentially result in reduced deliveries of water to Yolo County farmers. By suggesting that there might be some unforeseen impacts on water use, Ms. Murphy is using the worn-out tactic of creating bogey men when there are no facts to bear her out.
There will be no effect — none whatsoever — on existing water rights or water uses from a national monument designation. Ms. Murphy only needs to look as far as the recent monument designation of the San Gabriel Mountains region in southern California — which was supported by all the major souther California water users — to know her story is baseless.
In fact, such a national monument designation will actually help ensure that our water remains available for current and future uses. One way will be by protecting the public lands from new mining and development that can significantly degrade water quality. One only needs to look at the legacy of pollution from past mining in Cache Creek and other watersheds to see the significant adverse long-term effects of mining on water quality.
Our lands and waters are too important to put at-risk to mining, development, and other sources of pollution. Which is why farmers, ranchers, landowners, cities, and counties are all pulling together to ensure that Berryessa-Snow Mountain region — and the water it holds — is permanently protected for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Ms. Murphy can continue to raise red herrings, but most people know that these types of phony allegations about Berryessa-Snow Mountain simply don’t hold water.
Alan Pryor
Chair, Sierra Club Yolano Group