The CLF attorney described regulations as a way for state government to meet its role as trustee for a public resource. Riparian owners may use some water, but if there is not enough for everyone, then the public's rights come first. In keeping with these principles, the new in-stream flow rule must fully and immediately protect all designated rivers, especially the post pristine rivers. Conservation organizations should be organizing their members to ensure that DES does not return to square one in developing the new rules. An important reason the trigger-flow regulations have been abandoned is that business interests outgunned conservation proponents at the January hearing.
People do tend to show up when money is on the line.
DES earns some blame for this. Businesses can afford the payroll costs of getting their people to a day-long hearing. Next time, the department should follow Fish and Game's example and schedule evening or weekend meetings. Build your own PC and shop for hardware Monitor Classifieds Use AdHound for e-mail delivery of classified ads.