Bring water back home to Kern River
I've worked on the Kern River Parkway for 35 years. In that time I have observed, often in disbelief and amazement, what goes on in water politics in California.
I've heard all the arguments as to why we must destroy rivers and even entire watersheds in order to promote the quality of life somewhere else. This usually means, simply put, that special-interest water districts, agencies and their constituents get the improved quality of life while others, living at the source of the water, such as Bakersfield, wind up with a dead river.
Now there is a chance that some of the Kern River's water will be returned to the river. It has been determined that there is "unappropriated" water from the Kern and the only remaining issue is who will get that water.
The water must be returned the Kern River, to be owned by the people of Bakersfield for their benefit and administered by the city's water department.
There will be no "taking water from farms and homes," a term thrown around by water interests to scare people in to supporting the status quo. The unappropriated water, given back to the river and the people of Bakersfield, will provide future water for homes, recreation and an improved quality of life. It will help revitalize the Kern River Parkway and improve the city's image and economic viability. The water will be stored underground in the city's publically owned water recharge area and made available to farms, as well as urban use.
There should be no argument as to where this unappropriated water should go. It should go home, to the river.
BILL COOPER
Kern River Parkway Foundation
Bakersfield
