Tuleyome supports Measure I

Tuleyome supports the regional Woodland Davis Clean Water Project to develop and provide a reliable source of surface water to the city of Davis, the university, and the city of Woodland.

“Supplying our city’s water by mining groundwater is not sustainable or environmentally responsible. It is bad for the residents, can result in permanent damage to our ground water aquifers, and the discharge harms our surface waters,” commented Tuleyome President Andrew Fulks. “Jointly using our surface and groundwater supplies maximizes our long term water security. Decreased city use of groundwater also helps with long term security of the groundwater our farmers need to grow our food.”

Tuleyome supports Davis Measure I, which will enable the city of Davis to enact a key element of the Clean Water Project and bring surface water to the city and the university. Options for enacting a supply for the city were studied extensively by the Davis Water Advisory Commission for a year, and the council voted 8-2 in support of the Measure I program. In addition, the Davis City Council, including the most recently elected members, voted 5-0 in support of the Measure I program.

Tuleyome appreciates recent efforts by the city to ensure that the costs of the program are shared among citizens in the most equitable manner. “It is expensive, but we must act now,” commented Bob Schneider, Tuleyome’s senior policy director.

“Opponents of Measure I argue we can delay the City’s program because the City now has rights to Sacramento River water, ” addedSchneider. “This is a foolish conclusion, based on a lack of understanding about the current context of water in California. Water rights are tighter than ever. Right-holders who do not use their water rights risk losing them forever. We will have to compete with thirsty cities in the south for our water if we don’t move forward.”

The city didn’t envision a need for surface water in the 1950s when Monticello Dam was built; the need for a better vision is clear in 2013. Tuleyome recommends that the citizens of Davis not miss this opportunity. Tuleyome supports the citizens and the elected officials in the work they’ve done on this program, and in particular recognizes the leadership efforts of Woodland City Councilman Bill Marble.

Will Arnold
Davis