Chinook salmon in the Tuolumne.

MEDIA CENTER - Press

Letter to Editor--S.F. water policy lags
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
June 4, 2005

Editor -- Regarding your news article, "Despite strides, Bay Area has mixed record on freshwater" (June 1): Although San Francisco has started to invest in new water-conservation programs (as your article pointed out), the city is currently far behind other agencies in the state. The city is headed in the right direction but has much farther to go.

For example, San Francisco can pursue area-wide conservation programs with its wholesale-water customers in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda counties. The city has barely tapped potential conservation from the commercial sector, especially hotels.

When Mayor Gavin Newsom signs urban environmental accords, he is committing to protect the ecological integrity of the city's primary drinking water sources. For San Francisco, the primary source is the Tuolumne River, dammed within Yosemite.

In order to protect the Tuolumne, San Francisco needs innovative conservation programs and alternative supplies, such as recycled water and groundwater. Not only is investing in alternative supplies better for the health of the Tuolumne (and the bay), it is more reliable and less expensive than increasing our dependence on the river.

San Francisco has thus far refused to firmly commit not to divert more water from the Tuolumne, although it intends to pursue other supplies first. As the host of World Environment Day, the city should commit to becoming a leader in water-use efficiency and stewardship and protect the Tuolumne from increased diversions.

Jenna Olsen
Executive director
Tuolumne River Trust
San Francisco