Central Valley Water Forum: Facts vs. Fictions

EVENT: Central Valley Water Forum: Facts vs. Fictions

Follow the link at the bottom of the page for the registration form...

Why spend the time to make sense of our Water Crisis? Because our lives depend on it!

On Saturday, March 13^th, set aside some time to attend a free forum on water and get the education and answers you need to make sense of the Central Valley’s ‘Water Crisis’ and discover what it means to you and your family.  The forum will take place on the Fresno City College campus at the Social Science building’s Forum Hall from 9am-4pm.  The day will be packed with exciting speakers and experts who know the facts about our waterscape and current water issues, and they are willing to spend the day sharing their knowledge and answering your questions. 

The forum was developed to bring our community together for a reasonable discussion about our water supply, its sustainability, and what it all means to the residents of the Valley.  Recent media coverage of our water issues in local and national news outlets has painted a dismal picture of our water future without any real discussion of the truths behind the problems or the real solutions.  Come find out for yourself the status of your water supply, make new friends, and learn what you can do to get engaged with the issues.

This is no traveling water road-show like the many that have buzzed through town with a select guest list and sob-stories that would fill a river, this is a home-grown gathering that will provide residents a space to understand the issues and prepare for the tough decisions ahead that will define our Valley’s future.  Journalist/author Mark Arax will introduce a morning roundtable of panelists who will address difficult questions, including:

Is our water supply sustainable?  David Cehrs, farmer/KRCD Board member

Whose water is it?  Lloyd Carter, journalist/water activist

Can the Delta be restored?  Barbara Barrigan-Parilla, Restore the Delta

What are the ecological impacts of our Water Crisis? Dan Bachar, The Fish Sniffer

Is our water safe to drink?  The Community Water Center

Childcare, translation services, and limited transportation will be provided free of charge.  Lunch will be available for $6 a person. 

The afternoon workshops will include presenters and perspectives on water issues most impacting our Valley communities.  Our relationship to our water in many ways defines how we live and what quality of life we are afforded. Explore with those engaged in the issues how the Valley is unique and what you can do to make a difference.   

Community Rights to Health vs. Corporate Rights to Profit - Dr. Nancy Price

Water and Jobs  -  Dr. Jeffrey Michael, UOP

Water and Land-use Planning  - Chris Acree, Revive the San Joaquin

Where Our Water Is Going  - Walt Shubin, Fresno County Grape Farmer

Water Conservation  - City of Fresno

The Comprehensive Water Legislation Package passed in 2009 sets a blueprint for massive water system enhancements throughout the State, including Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem improvements and water supply reliability enhancements.  Funding for many of the programs and infrastructure improvements will need to be authorized by voters.  Come to the forum and learn more about the $11.4 billion proposal and decide how you will vote on this bond.

The day will wrap up with a Pro and Con debate of the Water Bond initiative scheduled for the November ballot this year.  Guest speakers familiar with the content of the Water Bond will discuss the content of the bond measure and engage in a rational debate over its value to the Valley and the State as a whole.  Use the lessons learned from the day to better understand all sides of the water issues covered by your media outlets and break through the water propaganda that has bombarded the Valley. 

Whether we are entering a new age of Water Wars, Water Crisis, or a Water Renaissance is yet to be determined, but the decisions we make now will set the stage for our own water future.  Join us March 13^th to start the process of local decision-making and help to make Valley voices heard during this year’s statewide water negotiations.  

For more information on the event call (559)-313-7674. Please fill out the registration form below to participate.