July 21, 2008
Mr. Patrick Kruer Dear Chairman Kruer: On behalf of the San Diego County Farm Bureau, I am writing you to urge the California Coastal Commission to finalize its approval of the Carlsbad Desalination Project at your August public meeting in Oceanside. In June, the Governor declared a water emergency in nine Central Valley counties. This allows state officials to transfer water to meet the needs of these farming communities. Considering that a large percentage of the country’s produce and nursery products are grown in California, this drought is likely to have repercussions on food supplies and costs for many years to come. San Diego County’s farm community has already been hit hard. There are over 5,000 farmers in the county producing more than $1.5 billion in crops annually. Since January 1, 2008, all farmers participating in the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Interim Agricultural Water Program have endured mandatory 30 percent cuts in their water supply. The bleak water supply outlook for 2009 may mean the cuts will go even deeper. This has drastically affected local producers. Orange growers have removed viable fruit trees from production. Nurseries have reduced their planted acreage. Avocado producers have stumped many of their trees. In these days of increased production expensese, some farmers are now facing the potential loss of their businesses if a remedy isn’t found that can return them to full production. The Commission’s approval last year of the Carlsbad Desalination Project provided hope to many in our community that the region was on the right track to developing a locally-controlled, drought-proof water supply. While we are discouraged that it has been nine months since the project was first approved and the Commission’s permitting process is still not completed, we expect that the Commission will carry through with its intent and expedite the approval of the project’s two outstanding permit conditions. San Diego County’s farmers appreciate the Commission’s understanding of the state’s water crisis and its impact on the farm community. We look forward to your continued support for the Carlsbad Desalination Project. Sincerely,
Eric Larson
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
