What is the Forum and why was the Forum established?

The San Joaquin Valley Water Leadership Forum is an organization that has evolved into existence over the last seven years as the debate over the management of our valley’s precious water resources has intensified.   Unfortunately lost in this protracted debate, is a way for all segments of our rural and urban communities to participate in water planning and decision-making.  The wise use and sustainability of an ever-dwindling supply of high quality water for use by our farmers and cities – as well as for recreation and the environment – must become a priority for all San Joaquin Valley residents. 

A typical scenario for our valley’s water resources involves outside water-seeking interests fighting their battles in Sacramento to gain control of an ever-increasing share of valley water.  Arguments about river restoration, water storage, water banking, and levees, to name a few, often overshadow the reasoned discussions that are occurring here locally.  The San Joaquin Valley is branded with the stigma of these political debates and left without the resources to solve their issues- as well as our own.  
Basically, too many of us it appears that our politicians have become increasingly polarized and expedient in their approach to the major challenges facing our valley, such as education, public safety, economic growth, and a maintaining a secure and sustainable source of high quality water well into the foreseeable future.   The rhetoric has increasingly overcome the reality, and has led to inaction.  Rather than just blame politicians, the Forum accepts the political realities and the challenges this political landscape brings.  So what is causing this water crisis?  Maybe our politicians are reluctant to say that they just don’t know… And maybe, the people that they have been listening to for don’t know as well.  Is it possible that people from the San Joaquin Valley might know a little something about how to not only “fix” – but, “solve” these problems?

What makes the Forum different from other groups and organizations here in our valley?

We don’t see ourselves as “different.”   In fact, we look to other groups as model organizations who are working hard to build a better future for the San Joaquin Valley. The Forum has adopted many of those same values and principles that have been a positive driving force for the many regional initiatives currently underway.  These are some of the many excellent examples of those bi-partisan, collaborative, consensus-based initiatives:

• San Joaquin Valley Blueprint
• Central Valley Business Incubator – CVBI
• Clean Air Now – CAN
• Regional Jobs Initiative – RJI
• West Fresno Economic Development Corporation
• I-5 Business Development Corridor
• Fresno Metro Ministries
• The Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley
• TreeTOPS
• Aquarius Aquarium Institute

Our school districts and institutions of higher learning have also been in the forefront when it comes to understanding, protecting and enhancing our natural resources such as water:

• Fresno County Office of Education’s Watershed Institute
• Regional Occupational Program – ROP
• California Water Institute at California State University Fresno – CWI
• Center for Advance Research and Technology – CART
• Future Farmers of America
• FARMS Leadership

Most importantly, there are many fine examples of non-profit organizations that are the “engines of volunteerism” here in our valley, dedicated to preserving our natural resources:

• Coalition for Livable Fresno County Communities – CLFCC
• RiverTree Volunteers
• San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust
• Sierra Foothill Conservancy
• San Joaquin River Intertribal Heritage Educational Corporation
• Sierra and Foothill Citizens Alliance
• Revive the San Joaquin

Well, with so many groups already involved – why isn’t more progress being made – and what makes the Forum relevant?

No matter how well intentioned many of these private, public and volunteer initiatives may be, ultimately, things have to “pencil out”.  Recently, California has seen super-bond measures in the 10’s of billions of dollars emerge, even as we continue to try and borrow ourselves out of today’s problems into a better future.  However, the “math” does not work out.  The Feds are in a sea of red ink – and a debt of nearly 9 trillion Dollars threatens to drown us all.  Here in California, there seems to be competition between the Governor and our Legislature to increase spending through long-term bond obligations (another form of tax) that show no feasible way of ever being paid back. 

What sort of political and economic environment are we in as it relates to water and other pressing issues in our Valley?

Today California faces a $15.2 Billion structural budget deficit (yes BILLIONS).  You would think that with this amount of red ink flowing, with no end in sight, our elected politicians would kick into high gear and start pushing towards redline – Right?  Well, sadly that is not, and has not been the case.  So what has been their plan of action?  Recently, the Governor announced that 20,000 temporary and part-time state workers will be laid off – in light of the fact that on the same day the number of jobs announced as lost throughout the United States was at 58,000 in June alone.  He also announced that all 200,000 full-time state employees will now be paid the federal minimum wage of $6.55 an hour.  What political and economic reality is that based on as gasoline now costs over $4.00 a gallon?  That means a state employee will be able to purchase a little over 1 gallon of gasoline for an hour’s work! 

So what does the State Legislature’s Leadership both Democrat and Republican do?  Emphatically, their response coincided with the Governor’s as it relates to “feeling the pain” economically and politically.  They rushed down to a casino resort in the San Joaquin Valley to celebrate its grand opening, ostensibly on official State business, to witness the turning on the spigot of a new revenue stream to the State.   The hope, according to the State Legislative Analyst, is that the state coffers will receive a pittance of the gaming profits.

So here we are, left boiling in the stew that our elected politicians have made, while they play.  Is this self-inflicted crisis management?  And, why aren’t they and their staff taking a reduction of salary to $6.55 per hour?  Politically, we are now experiencing the worst outbreak of “valley fever” ever at the State Capitol.  It has reached epidemic proportions and seems to have afflicted all our leadership here in California and our valley.  And, they want to tackle the water crisis here at home? 

What is the political calculus that can bring California and all of us back to reality?

That reality can be brought back through an open and transparent collaboration such as the San Joaquin Valley Water Leadership Forum.  The Forum, however, is much more than just the challenges of promoting responsible water management in our valley.  The Forum is reaching out to all political persuasions in order to promote a true collaboration of ideas and lasting solutions.  The members of the Forum are the residents and stakeholders working for a brighter future for the San Joaquin Valley, and we are the people working directly with the resources that make this State thrive.  Giving a voice to those who know the valley and its resources best and listening to their experience, might just provide some of the solutions that the Legislature so desperately seeks.  What is good for the San Joaquin Valley is good for California.

There are already so many groups involved in the effort here in the San Joaquin Valley, how will the Forum lead?

The Forum refuses to  engage in the politics of polarization and political discrimination – deciding who shall or shall not sit at the table.  Issues such as poor water quality, a struggling education system, high rates of poverty, a lack of well paying and meaningful jobs, poor air quality, and a rapid loss of prime farm land are examples of the challenges that we cannot accept as “business as usual”.  A recent Congressional Research Study came to the conclusion that the San Joaquin Valley, while it is the most productive agricultural region in the U.S., had higher unemployment and poverty rates, received more public assistance for households, and is more economically depressed than the Appalachia region.  Why does a region with abundant resources, the most developed water systems in the country, and some of the best farmland in the world become the most economically depressed region in the U.S.?   We all have our work cut out for us!

The Forum will lead by example.   The San Joaquin Valley Water Leadership Forum is a way for every one of us to get involved in the future of our valley in the most meaningful way.   We will also collaborate and partner with other existing initiatives that work earnestly, diligently, and with a sense of purpose and urgency.  Time is running out…

Our Founding Fathers would be pleased knowing that we as a people who live here in this great valley are a well informed and an engaged citizenry.   And most importantly, our children and their children would be pleased to know that we worked hard to assure that they had inherited a brighter and more secure future.  The Forum stands on the guiding principles of a pluralistic society.  We in the valley will be stronger united, rather than divided.

We look forward to your involvement.

 Steve Haze