Water Export – NGO Letter to Davidge

March 15, 2002

Ric Davidge
President
World Water, SA
3705 Arctic Blvd., #415
Anchorage, AK 99503

Dear Mr. Davidge:

We write to express our concern over your proposed plan to transfer water from the Albion and Gualala rivers to southern California.

Development of the Albion and Gualala for water export does not seem appropriate for many reasons, including – the rivers support greatly diminished runs of Coho salmon and steelhead trout, which are both now protected under the Endangered Species Act; sensitive species such as the California gray whale actively utilize the near shore environment; coastal Mendocino and Sonoma counties rely on tourism that is sustained by the region’s scenic, undeveloped coastline; local communities experience chronic water shortages themselves; and the Boards of Supervisors of Sonoma and Mendocino counties have expressed unanimous opposition to the project.

If future studies indicate the project would cause significant adverse impacts to the natural resources or economy of the area, our organizations will work with county authorities and local community interests to prevent the development of this project.

Sincerely,

Steve Rothert
Associate Director, Dams Program
American Rivers

Jim Edmondson
Conservation Director
California Trout

Steve Evans
Conservation Director
Friends of the River

Steve Trafton
California Policy Coordinator
Trout Unlimited

American Rivers California Field Office
PO Box 559
Nevada City, CA 95959
T/F: 530.478.5672