Lake Tulare reappears in the Central Valley. Let’s try to keep it there
letters to the editor
March 28, 2023
About the editor: Californians have been trying to control the water for more than a century. It is not surprising that we have failed because we still have too much water and too little water. Perhaps we should focus our efforts on living in harmony with nature rather than trying to control it. (“Concern and suspicion reign as once-dry Lake Tulare drowns California farmlands,” March 24)
Let’s hire our engineers to restore Tulare Lake, Owens Lake, Buena Vista Lake, the Salton Sink and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Yes, it will reduce the amount of farmland and water flowing into our metropolitan areas, but there’s no need to panic.
Large water tanks next to houses to collect rainwater are common in Australia, so why are they not needed here? Accelerate water recycling. It’s safe. Mission to replace arid landscapes with native vegetation in our region.
Wetlands are essential to life. Why drain them for crops that can be grown elsewhere? There will always be agriculture in the Central and Imperial Valleys, but we must reduce it to a level that meets, but does not exceed, our needs and abilities.
We preach good stewardship. let’s practice
Daniel Connell, Moor Park
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About the editor: With the resurgence of Tulare Lake, we have a unique opportunity to reclaim and rebuild a critical aquatic habitat and natural resource in California.
Draining the lake for cotton and other water-intensive crops was an ecological blunder that killed millions of birds and destroyed an entire ecosystem. The lake once supported biodiversity and played a vital role in the state’s overall water system.
The continued depletion of the Central Valley’s water table due to overpumping and poor water management began with the lake’s drainage. Restoring large parts of it would solve a host of environmental problems, including toxic dust and groundwater depletion. It would also create countless opportunities for tourism and recreation.
The sprawling corporate farms in the Tulare Lake basin have left a trail of destruction through their greed. Bring back the lake!
Donald Flaherty Fajardo, Los Angeles
Source: LA Times
Roger Stone is an author and opinion journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He is known for his controversial and thought-provoking views on a variety of topics, and has a talent for engaging readers with his writing.
