Blueprint for Bullies (10:55)

It's hard to believe that any thoughtful person would take Congressman Devin Nunes seriously. But his current pet project, The San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act (HR 1837) actually has the potential to be passed by the House and moved to the Senate. It's a legislative abomination so Salmon Water Now is taking a fresh look at the bill.

About a year ago we made a video about the Westlands Water District called "The Bullies of Westlands." Big money, powerful political connections, and a great understanding about how to manipulate media to promote their agenda make Westlands a formidable player in California water politics. Our new video, "Blueprint for Bullies" lays out the game plan of the Westlands bullies to change California water law by essentially having the Federal government take it over. It's their not-so-subtle maneuver to move from last in the bucket line for water to the head of the line. .

In this video, we see the faces that say the words that mean that salmon don't matter. That your interests don't matter. They talk about a war. They talk about laws that protect people and the environment as if they have been total failures. They contend that sound science is junk science.

Congressman Nunes and his mostly republican colleagues are pushing the agenda of corporate agribusiness to capture unlimited amounts of water. Water that in many cases would be dumped on toxic problem soil. Land that will inevitably be fallowed because naturally occurring poisons and salt will make that land unsuitable for growing.

By the time that happens it will be too late for salmon. The bullies that dominate the discussion about California agriculture will have won. The wild runs of salmon and the eco-systems that support them will be destroyed. Taxpayers and water rate payers will learn that they have been duped into subsidizing water and water delivery projects for a small number of wealthy irrigation districts. That is the blueprint the bullies of Westlands have drafted to get their way -- to ultimately own the water rights so they can sell it to the highest bidder. And when the salmon are gone, they won't be back.

Of course, that's not how they talk about it.

Judge for yourself as you watch excerpts from the hearing on the bill along with counter-points provided by experts who have looked at the blueprint that Westlands and their political handmaidens are working hard to implement.

After you watch, send the video to your friends, family, and co-workers. This is one blueprint that must be rejected. This is one situation that deserves your voice. Your voice demanding that HR 183 7 die. When it finally is gone, no doubt something else will be concocted by the bullies of Westlands. We'll be keeping a sharp eye on them and Congressman Nunes.