Delta water rights and irrigation fights - the California water crisis makes a prime time story on the CBS news show 60 Minutes with Governor Schwarzenegger.
The media piece shows the side of a Valley farmer in process of the decimation of his crops due to restrictions on water being pumped for irrigation use.
Farmers fault the Delta Smelt as the reason for a reduction in water, stating the welfare of the two inch fish should not be put above the livelihood of growers, farm workers and half of the country's production of fruits and nuts, which will promote further importation of food from China and other foreign lands.
The other side of the argument is presented, discussing the continuing three year drought resulting in the cause of less available water, and the unsustainable concept of supplying a states water needs from an estuary.
A computer simulation of the breakdown of the California Delta is demonstrated with the effect of the sea water overtaking the fresh water of the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers.
By aerial view, footage of Delta islands, dams and reserviors continuing though the California aqua-ducts show the trail of water from the Northern to Southern part of the state.
Attempting to maintain his status as the "green governor" and side step the "fish terminator" slam, Gov Schwarzenegger extols his water package, claiming it will reroute a canal around the Delta, in order to save the ecosystem and estuary, yet still allow water transfer to the Southern part of the state. The Governor is positive that California having it all is within voter's reach, with the passing of the $11 billion dollar water bond package.
If you missed the report, the 12 minute piece from the 60 Minutes episode aired this week on CBS is available for viewing: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6027412n .
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