Comments for On the Water Front http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront A water policy forum for the Golden State Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:10:52 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5.2 hourly 1 Comment on In Memory of Tom Graff by artcooley http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-125 artcooley Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:10:52 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-125 As a founding trustee of EDF, I am well aware of all of Tom's accomplishments especially as they have been described by his admirers above. I miss Tom terribly because at each board meeting Tom was full of optimism, good analysis and a wonderful demeanor. But I also will miss, and I hope it doesn't sound trivial, playing ping pong with the icon of California environmentalism. It is often the wonderful interactions we have with our friends that we miss the most. The country's environment is better because of Tom and that is important but the heart aches because other connections have been severed. As a founding trustee of EDF, I am well aware of all of Tom's accomplishments especially as they have been described by his admirers above. I miss Tom terribly because at each board meeting Tom was full of optimism, good analysis and a wonderful demeanor. But I also will miss, and I hope it doesn't sound trivial, playing ping pong with the icon of California environmentalism. It is often the wonderful interactions we have with our friends that we miss the most. The country's environment is better because of Tom and that is important but the heart aches because other connections have been severed.

]]> Comment on In Memory of Tom Graff by byronbuck http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-124 byronbuck Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:32:59 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-124 Tom was a wonderful, thoughtful human being and it was my privilege to have known him. While we disagreed over the years, we as often agreed and regardless of whether we did or didn't he was always gracious and warm. Intelligent as so few are. Sometimes stubborn but never doctrinaire. He could be persuaded by a thoughtful argument but more often was persuading you with his. He leaves a huge void and it will be some time before anyone can claim his mantle, if ever. Tom was a wonderful, thoughtful human being and it was my privilege to have known him. While we disagreed over the years, we as often agreed and regardless of whether we did or didn't he was always gracious and warm. Intelligent as so few are. Sometimes stubborn but never doctrinaire. He could be persuaded by a thoughtful argument but more often was persuading you with his. He leaves a huge void and it will be some time before anyone can claim his mantle, if ever.

]]> Comment on No Slam Dunk for the Peripheral Canal by jjknight33 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/11/no-slam-dunk-for-the-peripheral-canal/comment-page-1/#comment-123 jjknight33 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:37:03 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=374#comment-123 I agree fully with santolina. The local Delta Community has been left out of the equation for a reason. The new measures may not support the "slam dunk" of a peripheral canal, but the play has been called and all the pieces are in motion. It seems like the metrics are set up to support a step-by-step process to say "See, we did the research and all systems are go!" However, Senator Steinberg is controlling the debate and only asking questions that will prove to support the canal agenda,also cleverly disguised as the new conveyance system to protect the Bay-Delta ecosystem. It's hard to believe Lois Wolk was removed by Steinberg from the Delta Conservancy because she wouldn't play ball and support his bill. Lois Wolk is a true advocate for the Delta and the people that rely on it for it's many uses. We need better conservation from urban households, better irrigation techniques from farmers, better controls on waste from factories and treatment plants,especially the inland port in Stockton.Most of all, as a people we need to start respecting the gift of clean water and treat it like the commodity it truly is. I agree fully with santolina. The local Delta Community has been left out of the equation for a reason. The new measures may not support the "slam dunk" of a peripheral canal, but the play has been called and all the pieces are in motion. It seems like the metrics are set up to support a step-by-step process to say "See, we did the research and all systems are go!" However, Senator Steinberg is controlling the debate and only asking questions that will prove to support the canal agenda,also cleverly disguised as the new conveyance system to protect the Bay-Delta ecosystem.
It's hard to believe Lois Wolk was removed by Steinberg from the Delta Conservancy because she wouldn't play ball and support his bill. Lois Wolk is a true advocate for the Delta and the people that rely on it for it's many uses. We need better conservation from urban households, better irrigation techniques from farmers, better controls on waste from factories and treatment plants,especially the inland port in Stockton.Most of all, as a people we need to start respecting the gift of clean water and treat it like the commodity it truly is.

]]> Comment on In Memory of Tom Graff by monkfish http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-122 monkfish Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:07:55 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-122 There may be no other person currently in this world that I wish I had known better. He leaves much to aspire towards.. There may be no other person currently in this world that I wish I had known better. He leaves much to aspire towards..

]]> Comment on In Memory of Tom Graff by barrynelson http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-121 barrynelson Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:45:25 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-121 Tom was a leading advocate on California water issues for more than three decades. He was a champion for the Bay-Delta ecosystem and particularly for market-based solutions to address our environmental and water supply problems. Tom showed that sound economic policy can make sound environmental policy. But Tom was far more than that. For a generation of activists in California, including myself, Tom was a friend and a generous mentor. He had a unique combination of unusual strategic insight, an impish sense of humor, and a gift for putting together unusual collaborations. Tom’s skills, personality and style of advocacy also made him immensely likeable. Even those who routinely disagreed with Tom respected him – and couldn’t help liking him. I can recall more than one challenging water meeting at which I found myself looking at him and asking myself -- “What’s Tom thinking? What’s he going to do here?” You could always count on Tom for the unexpected. Issues like water, transportation and climate change are not just environmental problems. They are also challenges facing our economy and our society. Solving such problems requires pioneers who can lead the way to new solutions and teach the next generation of leaders. Tom was one of those special people – and the path he blazed will continue to lead California to solutions after his passing. Tom was a leading advocate on California water issues for more than three decades. He was a champion for the Bay-Delta ecosystem and particularly for market-based solutions to address our environmental and water supply problems. Tom showed that sound economic policy can make sound environmental policy. But Tom was far more than that. For a generation of activists in California, including myself, Tom was a friend and a generous mentor. He had a unique combination of unusual strategic insight, an impish sense of humor, and a gift for putting together unusual collaborations. Tom’s skills, personality and style of advocacy also made him immensely likeable. Even those who routinely disagreed with Tom respected him – and couldn’t help liking him. I can recall more than one challenging water meeting at which I found myself looking at him and asking myself — “What’s Tom thinking? What’s he going to do here?” You could always count on Tom for the unexpected.

Issues like water, transportation and climate change are not just environmental problems. They are also challenges facing our economy and our society. Solving such problems requires pioneers who can lead the way to new solutions and teach the next generation of leaders. Tom was one of those special people – and the path he blazed will continue to lead California to solutions after his passing.

]]> Comment on In Memory of Tom Graff by Tom Graff has died | 1800blogger http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-120 Tom Graff has died | 1800blogger Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:36:21 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-120 [...] a bio at EDF and Spreck Rosekran’s blog post in [...] [...] a bio at EDF and Spreck Rosekran's blog post in [...]

]]> Comment on Suburbs versus farms by Speed Blogging — Totally Edition | 1800blogger http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/09/02/suburbs-versus-farms/comment-page-1/#comment-119 Speed Blogging — Totally Edition | 1800blogger Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:35:19 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=226#comment-119 [...] at EDF worries about farms selling water to cities and going fallow. I totally agree, except Spreck’s being [...] [...] at EDF worries about farms selling water to cities and going fallow. I totally agree, except Spreck's being [...]

]]> Comment on In Memory of Tom Graff by waterman http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-118 waterman Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:32:54 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-118 Tom, It was a shame you were not around during the last couple of months to direct EDF's lobbying in Sacramento during the recent special session on water. It's sad to see that EDF has been reduced to advocating for paper instream flows in the Delta and not a set of real and enforceable set of water flows for fish and other species in the Delta. You are missed. Tom,

It was a shame you were not around during the last couple of months to direct EDF's lobbying in Sacramento during the recent special session on water. It's sad to see that EDF has been reduced to advocating for paper instream flows in the Delta and not a set of real and enforceable set of water flows for fish and other species in the Delta.

You are missed.

]]> Comment on In Memory of Tom Graff by Jennifer Witherspoon http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/12/in-memory-of-tom-graff/comment-page-1/#comment-117 Jennifer Witherspoon Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:14:58 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=385#comment-117 Dear Tom, You will be forever missed, it was such fun to work with you. I'll never forget how clever you were, getting a few of us on a boat ride to see the back end of Hetch Hetchy Valley, inspiring us to work for the restoration of a very special place. Or how with a few phone calls you could engender major media coverage for our issues in just about any place. But mostly I will miss your calm, your leadership and your care. You were a great person to be around, a joy to work with, and I count myself lucky to have had a few great years with you. With love and gratitude, Jennifer Witherspoon http://www.vimeo.com/7584627 Dear Tom,

You will be forever missed, it was such fun to work with you. I'll never forget how clever you were, getting a few of us on a boat ride to see the back end of Hetch Hetchy Valley, inspiring us to work for the restoration of a very special place. Or how with a few phone calls you could engender major media coverage for our issues in just about any place. But mostly I will miss your calm, your leadership and your care. You were a great person to be around, a joy to work with, and I count myself lucky to have had a few great years with you. With love and gratitude, Jennifer Witherspoon http://www.vimeo.com/7584627

]]> Comment on No Slam Dunk for the Peripheral Canal by santolina http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/2009/11/11/no-slam-dunk-for-the-peripheral-canal/comment-page-1/#comment-116 santolina Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:12:44 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/waterfront/?p=374#comment-116 I am SO disappointed in this organization...it became painfully apparent earlier this year that EDF had NO IDEA about the reality of the Delta, had incorrect information, did NOT talk to the citizens OF the Delta, nor supported same having any voice. For years I thought this organization had the experience to understand the simplest concepts such as...too much water has been taken, more water than the Delta even CONTAINS has been promised to Kern County and SoCal, therefore the Delta HAS crashed...so logic would tell someone with an ounce of intelligence that the TAKING OF MORE WATER YET, will not save the Delta but will decimate it forever...that the BDCP plans of KILLING fish, is NOT a conservation measure at all....and on and on...you have been duped by the lobbyists who promised you money for your organization..that is the only logic I can see behind your supporting this absolutely INSANE idea that BDCP will SAVE the Delta.... I am SO disappointed in this organization…it became painfully apparent earlier this year that EDF had NO IDEA about the reality of the Delta, had incorrect information, did NOT talk to the citizens OF the Delta, nor supported same having any voice. For years I thought this organization had the experience to understand the simplest concepts such as…too much water has been taken, more water than the Delta even CONTAINS has been promised to Kern County and SoCal, therefore the Delta HAS crashed…so logic would tell someone with an ounce of intelligence that the TAKING OF MORE WATER YET, will not save the Delta but will decimate it forever…that the BDCP plans of KILLING fish, is NOT a conservation measure at all….and on and on…you have been duped by the lobbyists who promised you money for your organization..that is the only logic I can see behind your supporting this absolutely INSANE idea that BDCP will SAVE the Delta….

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