• Food Irradiation



• Water For All



• Global Trade Watch



• Civil Justice and Legal Rights



• Campaign Finance Reform



• Energy Deregulation



• Take Action!

Stop the Theft of Water from the Mad River!

Public Citizen's California Water for All campaign is part of the coalition to defeat water bagging at the mouths of various North Coast rivers. We are passing along this action alert by the Town Hall Coalition based in Sonoma County. Please write today!

TAKE ACTION - Mad River Water Bag Proposal

After the successful campaign to stop the water bag proposal on the Gualala and Albion Rivers, Ric Davidge of Aqueous Corp. (formerly Alaska Water Exports) has now targeted the Mad River in Humboldt County. He has identified San Diego and Monterey as potential markets for selling what he claims to be "excess water." We have maintained the position that there is no such thing as "excess" water as there is no such thing as "excess"

forestland. Water is a public trust resource and should not be treated as private property. Nor should water be exploited for the exclusive benefit of a multinational corporation eager to use the auspice of international trade agreements to undermine community control of the commons. For an excellent background article, please visit the links on the front page of www.townhallcoalition.org

Town Hall Coalition has written to the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District, which has taken up Davidge's proposal for consideration, urging them to consider the cumulative economic, ecological, social, and political consequences of this proposal. In order to protect the integrity of North Coast Rivers and secure the public trust, HBMWD should reject this proposal by Ric

Davidge and Aqueous to privatize water from our North Coast rivers and streams.

Below is a SAMPLE LETTER that you can use to voice your support against this proposal. Please feel free to use it, add your comments, and pass it on to others who share your concerns about water privatization and protecting the public trust.

General Manager

Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District

828 Seventh St.

Eureka, CA 95501

Phone: (707) 443-5018

Re: Mad River Water Bag Proposal

I am writing to ask you to oppose the recent proposal by Aqueous Corp.

to bag water from the Mad River. I am deeply concerned that by granting

export of Mad River water to private companies there will be a number of

harmful effects on the River and its surrounding communities. I am

particularly concerned about the following issues:

1. Water is a public trust and a human right, not a private property.

Therefore, water should be managed by democratically-elected bodies on

behalf of all inhabitants, not for the private benefit of special

interests. Once the water is placed in private hands, local governments

lose the right to restrict the taking of water, regardless of

environmental and social consequences. When communities have tried to

reclaim their water in the past, corporations have sued countries and

states for billions of dollars in "lost revenue." I am concerned that

with Aqueous' affiliation as part of an international consortium of

water marketeers, that it may move to take control of California's water

by invoking international trade provisions.

2. If Mad River water is shipped down to Southern California, it will

detract from what can be used locally; this may consequently inhibit

future economic development and opportunities within the community.

While Humboldt County residents lose some of their valuable resource

economy, Mr. Davidge is making an estimated $46,500 per water bag,

paying only $90 per acre/ft., while Humboldt County residents pay $500

per acre/ft. In addition, the North Coast River's fishing industry has

been valued at over $40 billion and is the fastest growing industry in

Humboldt County. Aqueous' continuous activities could possibly disrupt

the growth of existing fisheries with the increased traffic of tugs

carrying large poly-urethane bags and the presence of large safety

devices.

3. The presence of water bags could have numerous detrimental effects on

the local ecosystem. The "excess" water that could

remain in the river as instream flows to support endangered salmon,

steelhead, and other wildlife would be removed. After the recent Klamath

fish kill, we are no longer secure with the science upon which we base

water allocations. Water bags could also break and release freshwater

into Marine habitats, harming aquatic life. Nordic Water Supply, a

conglomerate to Aqueous Corp., has already had various problems with

bags ripping and becoming lost in the Mediterranean. The migratory

routes of whales and other marine mammals could also be disrupted.

Please use your authority as General Manager to reject this harmful

proposal and ensure the protection of all North Coast Rivers, the

California coastline, and public trust resources.

Sincerely,

Your Name

more resources

Because Public Citizen does not accept funds from corporations, professional associations or government agencies, we can remain independent and follow the truth wherever it may lead. But that means we depend on the generosity of concerned citizens like you for the resources to fight on behalf of the public interest. If you would like to help us in our fight, click here.