To: San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors
EMERGENCY MORATORIUM on non-essential stored water use for oil extraction
California is in its 4th year of an unprecedented drought. Water is essential and required for the protection of public, health, safety and beneficial well being of a community.
Governor Brown has declared a drought emergency and mandatory conservation.
NASA reported on March 14, 2015 that California has one year of stored water left. Stored water is all of the snow, river and reservoir water, water in soils and groundwater combined .
We are using our ancient stored water at an unprecedented rate because of the drought and when it is gone, in less than a year, life as we know it will be gone as well.
What is usually replenished each year with snow packs and rain fall has not happened in 4 years.
Restrictions and moratoriums on non-essential water use have been implemented in many communities across California.
Non-essential water use is water that is not required for the protection of public, health, safety and welfare.
Non-essential water use includes irrigation for landscaping, lawns, athletic fields, golf courses, filling swimming pools, fountains, washing vehicles and sidewalks.
It takes up to 10 barrels of fresh water to extract one barrel of toxic crude oil. We are in an water shortage crisis. These are desperate times.
We are calling for an Emergency Moratorium on non essential stored water use for oil extraction. Effective immediately.
Why is this important?
Water is too precious and scarce to waste. Using drinking water to extract oil does not make any sense. We can not afford to waste a drop on non-essentials. This is an emergency and an emergency response is appropriate. Moratorium on water use for oil extraction insures we are securing the safety, health and well- being of essential water for the benefit of the community to the best of our ability. It is the right thing to do.