Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the editor. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Mendocino Voice. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to info@mendovoice.com.
Dear Editor,
In the recent Ukiah Town Hall on April 4, Congressman Jared Huffman suggested the Potter Valley Project issue should not be political and that a “firehose of disinformation” has risen. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
Mr. Huffman’s hand-picked “very inclusive ad-hoc community” included numerous members of the environmental community who dominated the entire process. Cal Trout, Trout Unlimited, Friends of the Eel River, and others were allowed to join. Lake County was given one seat out of 30 and was shut down every time they spoke up. The Lake Pillsbury Alliance sought a seat at the table and when they did show up, Mr. Huffman asked them to leave. The political determination to remove the dams was clear at the outset. No alternative voices were permitted. Some made it clear that if dam removal was not the outcome of these discussions, they would pursue litigation. Was that not being “political?”
PG&E was regulated out of having a profitable operation. Were alternatives to dam removal seriously considered? Has Mr. Huffman sought funding for dam rehabilitation? The answer is no.
Instead, Mr. Huffman, whose district does not include the Lake County headwaters area, plans to secure billions of dollars for new water infrastructure in his district and leave Lake County and the Lake Pillsbury communities literally high and dry and without fire protection. What happens during back-to-back dry years when there is no water to meet the needs of the region?
Mr.Huffman has a lot of political nerve calling those who challenge his politics and views on the Potter Valley Project as spreading “disinformation.” To date, he has tried to be the puppet master controlling the narrative about our region’s future.
Environmentally conscious people understand the importance of balancing the needs of man and nature and can see an economic advantage to working with infrastructure that we already have. Is it being “political” when you disagree with Mr. Huffman? Are we “very political people” for wanting to save Lake Pillsbury?
Frank Lynch, Lake Pillsbury Alliance
It’s really hard to trust the information lake house owners are putting out when water managers, the people that actually care about water supply, are ok with dam removal and a new diversion. Water infrastructure needs to be affordable and reliable, and these old dams are seemingly neither, but the people with vacation houses on the lake sure want you to think otherwise.
“Actually care?” You sir, are not the arbiter of who cares.
Ryan you really do not understand! The diversion will only work during winter! The water is important for people, agriculture local food not imported, an existing ecosystem and fire safety! They could make an efficient fish passage and update infrastructure! The eel will run dry as well as the Russian! Even in our times of drought this has been beneficial! Not everyone has a bougie lake house some have been passed down or are for regular everyday people.
Ryan-your comment is a perfect example of “disinformation” as it stereotypes these folks as only caring about lake homes. Many live and work in Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma Counties and are very concerned about the region’s water supply.
Seems if Huffman has no jurisdiction over Lake County then he should stop pandering to the environmental groups and the natives. That’s all he is doing. He has previously stated that he wants to see all dams removed from the state of CA. How anyone can vote for him is mind boggling. Water is non partisan. Lack of water affects everyone. And those that voted for him mostly voted straight ticket not doing due diligence to determine what each candidate stood for. After the fiasco of the Klamath dams removal does anyone expect that our environment won’t be impacted? Where is the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) that determines any endangered species. After all the dams have been there for more than 100 years. BUT this is pandering to a few and ignoring the majority so Huffman can pat himself on the back, slimy though it is.
By the way, good letter from the Lake Pillsbury Alliance
Just as an observer and user of this recreational area, it appears to me that PG&E is no longer making a fortune on this and with the pandering politicians in Sacramento, it’s trying to get rid of a hot potato that is no longer useful to them. First and most importantly Lake Pillsbury is a source of water for fire retention and agriculture; a fantastic recreational area, a habitat for wildlife; and provides an income resource for established businesses; and is part of landscape for many vacation home owners. Now politicians and the PG&E want to take all that away. Too bad the politicians have such a strangle hold in Sacramento and a few at Fed level who no longer listen to what constituents want, but instead do the will of big business. Just one old lady’s opinion.
Huffman is crooked. He has arranged for two wealthy ranchers, his benefactors, Niman and Evans to be the last ranchers on the Pt. Reyes National Seashore and he has his hands all over the threatened take down of a water supply for his main constituency of Sonoma and Marin Counties. All he brings us is the GHOST TRAIN! Remember the Ghost Train? The ruse he perpetrated on us of a coal train from nowhere to nowhere on torn up train tracks up the Eel River that are set to be a hiking trail.