A Small Compromise in California’s Water Wars

March 9, 2011
¶Like an early spring bud poking out of a thicket, a compromise emerged on Thursday in one of the intertwined legal battles that pit California’s major agricultural and urban water users against federal scientists and environmentalists. For the moment, both sides agree on how to protect the endangered delta smelt while managing water deliveries through the West Coast’s largest and most degraded estuary, the delta where the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers meet.
¶Yet the agreement will last only until the end of June. There is a reason for its brevity: this solution is eventually going to be pre-empted by other federal plans for the tiny fish, and most likely by other lawsuits or legal rulings. And the controls the federal Fish and Wildlife Service exercises over the amounts of river water pumped south of the delta are usually lifted at the end of each June.
¶By that time the fish are larger and using a slightly different travel route that keeps them a safe distance from the suction of the massive pumps.

¶The crucial driver of the compromise was a formula that allowed water users south of the delta to get a large percentage of the water they need in an “experiment” by federal scientists. The experiment would begin only after a determination was made that the loss of this water would not harm the delta smelt.
¶“We see a lot of value in making sure that decisions are based on sound science, and this achieves that,” said Doug Obegi, an expert on the issue with the Natural Resources Defense Council.
¶Tom Birmingham, the general manager of the Westlands Water District, said that while federal scientists could cut back water deliveries below the minimum levels he believes that users need, “I do not expect that to happen.” His optimism arises partly from the amount of rain that has fallen in Northern California this winter.
¶“I would characterize this as a patch,” Mr. Birmingham added, not necessarily a signal of enduring harmony between these often bitter antagonists.
¶News of the short-term compromise came shortly after a group of academics from disciplines including biology, geology, law and related field released a blueprint written for the Public Policy Institute of California on how to manage the delta.
¶The authors, several of whom had jointly written a 2007 tract titled “Envisioning Futures for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta,” this time urge that a more coherent system for managing the state’s water be adopted.
¶“Some degree of stability and predictability in water policy is essential to support continued economic well-being,” the authors write.
¶Ellen E. Hanak, a senior fellow at the institute and one of the lead authors of the new work, said at a telephone news conference on Wednesday, “We need to move away from the historical approach of desperate actions to preserve single species.” That, she said, “means focusing on multiple species and multiple ecosystem needs.”
¶She added that more robust water markets were needed to help distribute and use water effectively and equitably.
¶In water conservation, she said, “we are behind France, Australia and Spain. A 30 percent reduction from 2000 water use would substantially reduce demand for delta exports.”

Source: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/25/a-mini-compromise-in-californias-water-wars/?partner=rss&emc=rss
Foodies and wine lovers travel north from Manila to wine and dine at Philippines’ best fine dining restaurant in Pampanga Clark Freeport worth the 60-minutes drive for a memorable evening of good food with vintage wine at Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar

This fine dining restaurant is also famous for its low carbohydrates “low carb” dishes highly recommended for frequent diners who are on a low fat food and favor healthy food. This is a unique restaurant that can help frequent diners maintain a healthy diet and enjoy delicious fine dining cuisine at the same time. Vegetarian dishes are a specialty here also and so are “halal” cuisines also.

Favorites of frequent diners, foodies and wine lovers are steaks, Wagyu, Foie Gras, lobsters, venison, kangaroo loin, osso buco, veal chops, Kurabuto pork, escargots and a good selection of cheeses to enjoy with fine Vintage port and Sauternes. Cuban cigars such as Monte Cristo, Cohiba, Upmann, Partagas, Romeo Julieta and Trinidad are also available in the Magnum Room which is a wine bar and lounge for before and after dinner relaxation. A good selection of Armagnac, Cognac, Single Malt, Vodka and other liquor is served in addition to the wine vintage wines some served by the glass.

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Inquiries and reservations

Restaurant@Yats-International.com

(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401

Ask for Pedro and Rechel

Http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.

Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023

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3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
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