How would you like to go to a rigged water conference sponsored by big water agencies and corporate interests for the benefit of big water agencies and corporate interests?
If that’s what you crave, you’ll have your chance when the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) holds its “Priorities for California’s Water” conference in Sacramento on Thursday, October 26, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1230 J Street, Magnolia and Camellia rooms,
“This past year was a prime example of California’s highly variable climate—and a precursor of the challenges to come,” the annoucement for the event states. “This conference looks at issues that are front and center for managing California’s water supply and natural environment, including legislative priorities for cities, farms, and rural communities; partnerships for healthy ecosystems; and critical decisions for the Colorado River and Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta.”
The invitation urges people to “Join PPIC Water Policy Center researchers and a diverse group of experts for a thought-provoking discussion about policy priorities for the coming water year.”
The “diverse” group of experts are mostly representatives of water agencies, corporate agribusiness interests, PPIC staff and government officials, the same folks who are pushing the Delta Tunnels, the most environmentally destructive public works project in California history. No representatives of California Indian Tribes, recreational angling groups, commercial fishing organizations, family farming groups or grassroots environmental NGOS are scheduled to speak.
There is only one member of the panel, Laurel Firestone of the Community Water Center, who does work regarding environmental justice and water. Sorry, but this is hardly a “diverse” group of “experts.”
Likewise, the list of sponsors is a “who’s who“ of Big Ag and corporate regulatory capture in California, including Wonderful Orchards, owned by Beverly Hills Big Ag tycoons Stewart and Lynda Resnick, and Driscoll’s, known for their repression of indigenous farmworkers in Baja California.
Other sponsors include the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the most prominent supporter of the California WaterFix ; the Pisces Foundation, the organization set up by the Fisher Family, the owners of the Gap, Mendocino Redwood Company and Humboldt Redwood Company; the Walton Family Foundation, the organization set up by the owners and founders of Walmart; and the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation (yes, that Bechtel!)
If this isn’t a rigged event, I don't know what is. Below is the complete list of participants and sponsors and more information on the event:
PARTICIPANTS:
Lewis Bair, general manager, Reclamation District No. 108
Caitrin Chappelle, associate center director, PPIC Water Policy Center
Grant Davis, director, California Department of Water Resources
Laurel Firestone, cofounder and codirector, Community Water Center
Brian Gray, senior fellow, PPIC Water Policy Center
Ellen Hanak, center director, PPIC Water Policy Center
Ann Hayden, senior director of California habitat exchange and western water, Environmental Defense Fund
Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Jeff Mount, senior fellow, PPIC Water Policy Center
Ric Ortega, general manager, Grassland Water District
Dave Puglia, executive vice president, Western Growers
Lester Snow, senior advisor, Water Foundation
Cindy Tuck, deputy executive director for government relations, Association of California Water Agencies
SPONSORS
Association of California Water Agencies
California American Water Company
California Trout
California Water Service
The Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation
Driscoll's
Environmental Defense Fund
Golden State Water Company
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Mojave Water Agency
Morgan Family Foundation
The Nature Conservancy
Netafim
Northern California Water Association
Pisces Foundation
Rosenberg Ach Foundation
S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation
The San Diego Foundation
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
Sonoma County Water Agency
The Walton Family Foundation
Water Foundation
Western Growers
Wonderful Orchards
The PPIC announcement states: “Please register in advance. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.”
CONTACT
Hannah Noonan
(415) 291-4458
events@ppic.org