12.30.09
End-of-year report on the 2-Gates Project – Progress was Made !
Fall of 2009 I was very busy being involved in the political process, in particular how to stop a fast-paced government project, the “2-Gates” project from happening. A project I first became aware of in July, no one in our local government, community, Sheriff’s department, etc. even know about it yet it was about to be installed October 2009. I never new government projects could move that fast. Shows what can happen when organizations with huge pockets get involved!
Everyone said 2-Gates was a “Done Deal.” Fast-track funding by special interests in Southern California and special Obama U.S. Stimulus funds. On Governor Schwarzenegger’s “hot” list. Part of the state water initiatives being pushed by Senator Feinstein.
But the severe negative impacts this project would cause to the community where I live were being ignored. Impacts to our economy, drinking water, home values, boating, marine rescue operations, and the healthiness of the water in our back yards our families swim in regularly. And even worse, the project would do nothing to help reverse the environmental damage caused the last ten years from excessive exporting of fresh water from the Delta to Central/Southern California, more exports than legally authorized. The government was rushing to solve one problem (the drought resulting in less water for Central California farmers than had been promised to them) without taking any measures to reverse damage done to-date (which has resulted in the demise of the Commercial Salmon fishing from along the entire Oregon and California coast the past two years, salt water in Delta farmers’ fields/orchards, and severe impact to the ecology of the Delta). It was just all backwards and short-sighted.
But an interesting thing happened. The citizens mobilized, attended meetings, formed a grassroots organization (the San Francisco Bay & Delta Foundation (SFBDF) – see www.noDeltaGates.com), pushed back, collected comments, wrote our local, state, and US representatives. And obtained the strong support of a US Congressman (Jerry McNerney).
And as a result, the Obama Administration announced December 23rd a postponement of that fast-paced 2-Gates project to enable a study first to see if, for the $80 million it would cost, it will even work. Duh – don’t you think that would have been question #1?
For me, the important lesson is that it’s possible to make an impact on government plans. Although unfortunately logic isn’t always enough since every issue has complex viewpoints and different stakeholders. But sometimes it IS possible to make a difference.
There’s a lot of work left to do to make sure the 2-Gates project postponement is long-term and that the other water initiatives, like the Peripheral Canal, do not move ahead without adequate study and assurance that our communities and the environment will be able to still thrive. Our work has just begun.
Want to help? Visit www.noDeltaGates.com and DONATE !