National Attention to the Valley's Water Crisis

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

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DeShaunta Bullock
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Fresno, CA (KFSN) -- People all across America learned about the valley's water crisis. The west Fresno County town of Huron served as the backdrop for a segment on the "Sean Hannity" show.

California Highway Patrol estimates nearly 25 hundred people came to an almond orchard with the hopes of bringing national attention to the valley's thirst for water.

The voice of FOX New's Sean Hannity energized this crowd of thousands who say seeing the affects of parched land is hard to believe.

Among continuous rows of dead almond trees the voice of comedian Paul Rodriguez spoke about the issue most important to valley farmers.

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For almost a year valley residents have protested the state's decision to shut off water pumps in order to protect the delta smelt. According to a report by UC Davis that decision has cost 80 thousand farm job losses and 1.8 billion in lost wages.

However a new report from the University of the Pacific says those numbers are lower, Jeff Michaels reports 6000 jobs lost for 170 million in wages.

Michaels says foreclosures are driving unemployment in the valley, but some say the loss of farms and jobs go hand in hand.

Now folks here hope exposing the upturned roots of these almond trees to the rest of the country is enough to prompt action by the president.