[env-trinity] Press Advisory: Environmental Justice Coalition for Water Releases Report 8/17

[Daniel Bacher]

Environmental Justice Coalition for Water


P R E S S   A D V I S O R Y

For Immediate Release: August 10, 2005

Contact: Alisha Deen 916-743-4406 / 510-286-8400

 
NEW REPORT: 4 Million Californians Don’t Have Access to Clean Water

Report Exposes Pattern of Discrimination, Calls for Overhaul of Water 
Policy, Details Practical Solutions to Water Crisis

Coalition of Community Groups Calls for Change

WHAT: Press conference introducing the Environmental Justice Coalition for 
Water report “Thirsty for Justice: A People’s Blueprint for California 
Water”

WHERE:  North Side of the State Capitol, Sacramento, CA

WHEN: Wednesday, August 17, 2005, 9:30 am

WHO: Assembly Member Loni Hancock will discuss Environmental Justice issues 
in water legislation.

Ron Reed, Karuk Traditional Fishermen, will discuss how the damming of the 
Klamath River has destroyed the tribe’s traditional food source – salmon.

Gary Mulcahy of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe will discuss how the raising of 
Shasta Dam would destroy sacred sites. 

Lynn Barris, small farmer with Butte Environmental Council will speak about 
the dangers of water transfers to Northern California communities. 

Martha Guzman, California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, will discuss 
the needs of displaced farm workers due to land fallowing and land 
retirement from water movement decisions.

Lorena Gorbet of the Maidu Cultural and Development Group will discuss how 
the hydroelectric projects in the Feather River watershed left the Maidu 
people landless and separated from their cultural sites.

A copy of the report will be available at the conference. For an embargoed 
copy contact Alisha Deen of the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water.

THIRSTY FOR JUSTICE highlights the struggle of several communities affected 
by poor water management decisions and ends with specific policy 
recommendations to address these problems.  The report details the lack of 
access to safe and affordable water for drinking, fishing, recreation people 
of color and low-income communities experience in California.  This lack of 
access is no accident; it is a result of the history of the state’s water 
development characterized by the creation of policies and institutions 
designed to benefit wealthy and powerful interests - preventing large 
segments of California’s population from participating in decisions about 
water quality and supply. Low-income communities and communities of color 
bear the environmental and health burdens of these management decisions.

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Thank you,

Alisha Deen
Legislative Analyst
Environmental Justice Coalition for Water
654 13th Street
Oakland CA 94612
510/286-8400
916-743-4406 cell
510/251-2203 fax