Introduction

by
Bob Banner

 

Before I begin introducing this issue I simply want to say that this magazine that you have picked up is the culmination of more than 625 hours worth of mostly volunteer labor! That's an incredible amount of service: the distributors, writers, researchers, book reviewers, proof-readers, editors, typists, production designers, artists, photographers, advertising reps, the driving from Ventura to Santa Cruz...

 

Water ought to be a right for humans and non-humans living on this planet. But water is fast becoming a commodity, like pork or soy beans. Aquifers are drying up. Dams are displacing millions of people. Agribusiness use of water is extraordinarily wasteful. Future wars will be over water.

When water prices skyrocketed in Bolivia, the people took to the streets amidst martial law and finally kicked Bechtel Corporation out of the country (who, backed by the World Bank, doubled water prices).

Dams, those most awesome symbol of man's domination over nature, are becoming decommissioned. Since last year, 24 dams have been removed in states from Idaho to North Carolina, and at least 18 others are scheduled to go this year. There is an international organization which has been studying the dam situation for over two years. The World Commission on Dams will release their findings, and Nelson Mandela will give the press release in London on November 16. Watch the press and see if they report it.

Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy estimates that 33 million people have been displaced by dams in India. And many other third world countries (including Burma and Thailand) are protesting with their lives (fasting, standing in rising water...) to stop this onslaught of dams. See page 58 for web information about international anti-dam campaigning. One very inspiring story about a local anti-dam campaign in Iceland was reported in the October issue of The Ecologist. The townspeople did what they could to stop the building of a dam that would have destroyed livelihoods and the ecosystem. But in 1970 the Laxa river was dammed... and the locals were outraged. They had tried everything including legal means to stop it. But they failed.

Making sure that no living creature would be harmed, they resorted to dynamite. After the explosion, virtually the entire population made calls to the local police claiming responsibility for the night's activities. Laxa was saved and no one was ever convicted. In fact, one of the strongest supporters of the campaign was later elected a member of parliament.

Numerous citizens as well as government officials are educating themselves about another water issue, alternatives to the typical chemical sewage waste treatment centers. Some are seeing the cost benefits as well as the envirnmental concerns for using biological systems as compared to the incessant use of chemicals. See one of the original DOE documents about the Advanced Integrated Pond Systems on page 21. In our local community of Los Osos there were attempts to enlighten officials and citizens alike to this proven method, but the Coastal Commission killed it. We publish this piece to keep the education alive and well. This same pond system has been successful in St. Helena, California for over 25 years.

The City of SLO wants to expand, and in order to do so it needs more water from the Salinas Dam. Marge Erickson, an attorney for 20 years, has been studying the situation and gives us an updated report. See page 11.

Jill Denton reports on the MTBE spills entering our County's water system and what people can do about it (see p.8).

A humorous piece involving a conversation between the Lord and St. Francis reminds us how ludicrous it is to obsess ourselves with lawns and raking leaves amidst such a global water crisis (see p.18).

HopeDance wasn't planning on doing another special issue. But when more information about the water crisis and its creative solutions crossed my desk, a special issue needed to be created. Actually, an issue on Water follows quite obviously and logically after the issue on Sprawl (issue #24). One cannot have sprawl if there is no water. And yet how we get the water in order to continue our obsession with sprawl is the topic of Frank Arundel's piece. A member of the Water Board in the State of California, Keith Brackpool, is actually trying hard to push through a project that would dry up the Mohave Desert aquifer, send the water for development projects in southern California, and then refill the aquifer with contaminated water from the Colorado River. See page 19 for this surrealistic scenario and what actions we can take.

Maude Barlow, graciously referred to as the "Ralph Nader of Canada," exposes the transnational corporations for commodifying water. Her passionate concern about the globalization of this precious human right must be understood. Yes, we can do small things as individuals... and yes, they are important... but it is vitally important to see what is happening worldwide so we can begin to perceive our actions, our activist concerns, in a broader light. See the excerpt from her powerful speech on page 13.

As with other special issues, we try to stay focused on positive solutions. One of the most exciting pioneers in waste treatment, water restoration and remediation is the bioneering work of John Todd. His speech at a recent Bioneers Conference gives numerous examples of how his method, based on biology and ecosystems, is cleaning up our waste water... from chocolate factories to breweries to municipal sewage systems. He and his fellow colleagues are turning a paradigm on its head. Rather than perceiving waste as something to get rid of, waste will in fact create more industries (in order to close the loop; thereby creating sustainability). For the transcription of this standing-ovation speech, see page 23.

In our Santa Barbara section (starting at the centerfold on page 41), we have numerous examples of various groups collaborating for healthy watersheds. Discussions pertain to working with Latino's watershed education, the Chumash dogbane, Deconstructing rather than Demolition, the Restoration Institute, the Living Wage Campaign, Natural Building, and more....

Famed simplicity guru, Vicki Robin explores her "holy shit" experince during a workshop she presented along with Donella Meadows on "Our Future and Sustainability." See page 52.

To keep you abreast of certain topics that we could not possibly cover within one issue, see page 58 for a list of water-related websites. Also, please see the "Facts" sheet on page 4. These simple facts can help us understand what is going on, what careers we ought to pursue, what companies we ought to invest in, what water policies to support and, in general, how to appreciate this liquid gold that we frequently take for granted.

Some notes about the issue: Steve Eabry has retired his Bike Column. He has done an excellent job sharing his expertise, wit, and passion for the world of bicycles in his column for more than two years. If you see him on the road a hearty thank you would be most appreciated I'm sure. Or call him at 544-1096.

About our next special issue, please see page 32 for a brief explanation.

Bob Banner, Publisher

(www.hopedance.org / hopedance@aol.com)