Another five years of free water for Nestle while California dries up? Just say no.
Nestle's been pumping free water from the San Bernardino National Forest in California for 28 years. Their permit expired in 1988. They'd like their permit to be renewed for another five years. The public comment period with the US Forest Service closes tomorrow, May 2, 2016.
So...to review:
Nestle gets free water from public lands. California is in the middle of a historic drought. Nestle will sell this public - lands water at a 2000% markup to thirsty consumers, incidentally creating millions of tons of plastic waste from bottles. If a robust environmental review is conducted, Nestle will possibly not get its permit. Three environmental groups are also suing to stop the renewal of Nestle's water-pumping permit. So sign the petition by tomorrow, or comment directly on the US Forest Service site.
This goes to the heart of "People before profits". It's obscene to take the public's water, needed for agriculture, people, animals, ecosystem, bottle it, and sell it back at a profit. Nestle's CEO, Peter Braeback,said that water is not a human right.
Yet, the United Nations has declared that human access to clean drinking water and sanitation is essential to all human rights. Sign, comment, call.