Radanovich: humans over smelt

From the office of Rep. George Radanovich:


Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) today testified at the House Natural Resources Committee hearing entitled, “The California Drought: Actions by Federal and State agencies to address impacts on lands, fisheries, and water users.” The following are excerpts from Rep. Radanovich’s testimony. To read entire text of his speech, click here
“The real focus of this hearing should be the human impact this drought is having on the farmers, communities and way of life in the San Joaquin Valley. Water users, farmers, and cities in California are facing unprecedented water shortages and the devastating impacts are only growing. Simply put--entire towns are withering away.
“Because the 37,000 people loosing their jobs cannot be here to represent themselves, my California colleagues and I have to deliver their cries for help.
“I have with me a stack of hundreds of letters I’ve received from constituents detailing their cry for help, the impact this drought is having on their lives, and support to pass my bill, H.R. 856, the California Drought Alleviation Act, which would allow the Delta pumps to resume pumping vital water to the south.
“The federal government must stop passing laws and developing regulations that place the value of species above the value of people. The statements we make, through laws and regulations must convey the message that the lives of our constituents, their children and their livelihoods are more valuable than a 3 inch economically inconsequential fish.
“The draconian regulations that turn simple fish into the worshipful gods of the environmental community and ignore the inalienable rights of people have led us to conclude that Government does not work for us any more—we need the Government to protect the safety and happiness of people, not fish.”