Resist lawyers, let river flow
The Bakersfield Water Department has the right to keep supplying our citizens and farms with clean Kern River water. Having our river back will allow our community to grow, enrich itself, and become stronger and more vibrant.
We can do this by claiming the Kern River water "not fully appropriated" and letting the river flow through Bakersfield. Once the water reaches downstream and into the aquifer, it can be distributed to farms and people. Businesses will prosper, thanks to the image-boost the river will provide.
The city has been attempting to take back the unappropriated portions of the Kern River for a dozen years. Two courts have already ruled in favor of Bakersfield's claim but highly paid lawyers keep thwarting it. Our city is best equipped to recharge and distribute our river water to the businesses of our area. It has invested millions of dollars in operating many miles of canals, the riverbed and its 2,400-acre basin, and maintaining clean Kern River water.
Over the next few days we will be reading letters from high-powered water lawyers and millionaire users who think that they should get the unappropriated water. Then the slick-talking lawyers will write glossy letters and talking points for their friends and families to sign. Don't be fooled.
We must take back our own water -- our own river. We must prevent other special interests from shipping our water north or even to Los Angeles by sneaky underground trades.
RICH O'NEIL
Kern River Parkway Committee
Bakersfield
