Columbia River Water Next Export to California
Speculation is high that Oregon has, for the first time, begun formal exploration into the feasibility of sending surplus water from the Columbia River south to thirsty California. The success of the recently announced giant wind farm has water export proponents salivating at the chance to tap just a small portion of the average 265,000 cubic feet of water per second that slips by Oregon, unused but for power generation, fish habitat and limited shipping.Closed-door sessions have been held privately in recent months to discuss the very future of the Columbia River as we know it today. People have been asking for Oregon’s water for a long time. In 1990 Kenneth Hahn, an LA County Supervisor, formally requested water from Oregon via pipe to offset the severe water shortages they were experiencing. Then governor Neil Goldschmidt said no to the request, as did then Washington governor Booth Gardner.
Oh, how times have changed. With Oregon now leading the way in green power exports with the proposed Shepherds’ Flat Wind Farm, many around the state see the opportunity to export water as the next logical export. Raymond Branxton, a leading proponent of the plan to export water, said recently, “Why wouldn’t we do this? Our state is one of the worst in the entire nation in unemployment and in shortages of state revenue. This extra water, and there is extra, believe me, is like gold or oil. Billions of dollars are at stake. And every single hour we simply watch as over six billion gallons of water goes by, untapped, and empties into the vast Pacific Ocean. I say tap it and tap it now. I am talking with government officials on a regular basis.â€
It is estimated that Oregon could supply California with approximately 8 billion gallons of water each day without any deleterious effect on either the environment or shipping. That amount of water could easily end, forever, the shortages that have plagued Southern California for decades. At the same time, jobs and revenue would flow into Oregon in numbers never seen before. It is estimated that at least 7,000 new temporary jobs would be created to construct the pipe and that 125 permanent jobs would be created in maintaining the pipe and pumps needed to supply the water. Revenue for this water, at current California rates, could easily top six million dollars per day or more. "That is over two billion dollars of revenue per year for Oregon for something that costs Oregon nothing," noted Branxton.
“How anyone could oppose this in times like these is a mystery to me,†exclaimed Branxton at a recent secret meeting to discuss water export. “The pipe can go right next to the power lines and we can run the pumps with the wind power. It is simply amazing to me that we have not moved forward on this much sooner. Goldschmidt is long gone – maybe our next governor will have the foresight to put this much-needed plan into place,†Branxton predicted.
Oh, how times have changed. With Oregon now leading the way in green power exports with the proposed Shepherds’ Flat Wind Farm, many around the state see the opportunity to export water as the next logical export. Raymond Branxton, a leading proponent of the plan to export water, said recently, “Why wouldn’t we do this? Our state is one of the worst in the entire nation in unemployment and in shortages of state revenue. This extra water, and there is extra, believe me, is like gold or oil. Billions of dollars are at stake. And every single hour we simply watch as over six billion gallons of water goes by, untapped, and empties into the vast Pacific Ocean. I say tap it and tap it now. I am talking with government officials on a regular basis.â€
It is estimated that Oregon could supply California with approximately 8 billion gallons of water each day without any deleterious effect on either the environment or shipping. That amount of water could easily end, forever, the shortages that have plagued Southern California for decades. At the same time, jobs and revenue would flow into Oregon in numbers never seen before. It is estimated that at least 7,000 new temporary jobs would be created to construct the pipe and that 125 permanent jobs would be created in maintaining the pipe and pumps needed to supply the water. Revenue for this water, at current California rates, could easily top six million dollars per day or more. "That is over two billion dollars of revenue per year for Oregon for something that costs Oregon nothing," noted Branxton.
“How anyone could oppose this in times like these is a mystery to me,†exclaimed Branxton at a recent secret meeting to discuss water export. “The pipe can go right next to the power lines and we can run the pumps with the wind power. It is simply amazing to me that we have not moved forward on this much sooner. Goldschmidt is long gone – maybe our next governor will have the foresight to put this much-needed plan into place,†Branxton predicted.
"This project represents a fundamental rethinking, in a more constructive and indeed more healthy manner both for Oregonians and our nation as a whole. With Oregon taxpayers funding the project, and California being granted the carbon offsets and water rights, this represents a win win situation."
Canada, namely, British Columbia, will want some bucks. But they can get their's in IOUs.
I think this idea offers large economic benefit to Oregonians and Washingtonians, creating a new stream of wealth which could be used to fund higher education and public infrastructure, spurring even more economic prosperity. Hopefully, this idea has more luck than the Columbia River Crossing project. By the time the locals get done with this latter project, Oregonians and Washingtonians will be lucky if they can cross the Columbia in a boat.
There might also be environmental benefit as maybe there's less pull on the Colorado river. Another place which could benefit from water exports is the Red River Valley in eastern North Dakota. They are swamped with water covering valuable farm land.
Great fact checking there.
Don't work too hard.
When this pipe starts getting laid you will look back and wonder at your ineptitude.
Secret tlaks go on all the time in Salem, in case you have not noticed.
And, Jerry, pray tell who is your inside source at these secret meetings? LOL That is classic, man, has to be one of the funniest things I've ever read here: "exclaimed Branxton at a recent secret meeting" - too funny.
I wish I could reveal my sources, but they have told me I simply cannot. The canons of journalism protect them from ever having to reveal their identity.
If references to Raymond Branxton cannot be found in Google or Yahoo! or Bing or any other search engine then he is irrelevant with regard to water exports to California. It demonstrates that he is not much of a proponent of anything, let along a leading proponent. I wouldn't say if it is not found in a search engine it is not real; however searches do provide context, information about credentials, and identify where someone is on an issue. Even town gadflies appear in search engines.
Yes, secret talks go on all the time. I have them with my wife in the privacy of our own kitchen planning on how to make the world better; however, just like these "secret talks" with Raymond Branxton (in some non descript location) they don't change the world. Private talks in Salem do not also equate to private talks between Salem and Sacramento or even Los Angeles. If you have not realized, California needs to go along with this plan.
To lay this pipe line, no matter its route, you need to cross the state of Oregon and then cross most of the state of California. If you haven't heard, it is mostly Southern California that is hurting for water and some farmers in the San Joaquin Valley (southern half of the Central Valley). Most farmers get 100% of their water allocations.
The cost of such a pipeline is cost prohibitive. Before you begin to lay the pipes, you will need spec the project out, get realistic sounding estimates, and then seek financing. Come back when you have cost estimates. You should know that SoCal is already appearing to balk at the $11 billion water bond due on the Nov. ballot and is also second guessing the other $15 billion that will be required to build a peripheral canal around the Delta. You'll be hard pressed to squeeze even another $10 billion out of it, although the Columbia Pipeline would likely cost 20 times that amount and require tons of electricity to boot. That kind of money is better spent on local sources of water and desal.
In other words, I'll be astonished if a meter of this pipe is ever laid. But if I am wrong, I will not feel a fool or an idiot for ever doubting this plan. I'll just sit back and watch you flush your money.
Plus, Californians would rather just move to Oregon where the water is than pay; it'll be cheaper.
Thanks
JK
By the way. "They" are not "stealing" our wind power. They are "buying" electrons generated from wind in Oregon sent to California via transmission lines. Last I looked we were a single nation with mostly free trade across state lines. And "our" hydro power already goes there.
Recently disclosed internal government documents prove the British Columbia government intentionally violated the FREE TRADE AGREEMENT / NAFTA and the GATT
These documents are now posted online for the first time at
http://www.waterwarcrimes.com
These documents corroborate and support the $10.5 billion claim for arbitration against CANADA by SUN BELT WATER INC. under Chapter 11 of the NAFTA.
Visit http://www.sunbeltwater.com
US Senator John McCain stated in Ottawa, Canada's capital city, on June 20, 2008, when asked about water exports from Canada
"water exports will be the defining issue of the 21st century"
The political corruption in Canada surrounding bulk water exports is now emerging in a lawsuit in Canada's Federal Court that the Canadian media is under instructions not to write about.
Eight judges linked to this lawsuit and the water export political corruption suddenly dropped dead as their crimes were exposed and they became a liability to insiders. Murder or suicide is a real possibility.
This is a true story that reveals the dark side of Canada.
Visit http://www.waterwarcrimes.com
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