Large water allocation: Whoopers’ trouble
In the past 10 days, you’ve written twice on whooping crane deaths. Once today, and once again in your March 9th editorial. “Water is key to whooping crane survival.”
Texans for a Sound Energy Policy Alliance share your concern and question how you failed to mention the impact that the heavy-water use of the proposed Exelon Nuclear Plant near Victoria would have on the whooping crane.
You wrote, “Simply put, the fresh water inflow needed by the cranes in their habitat in the wetlands along the coast is not getting there.” That freshwater comes from the Guadalupe River, and its vital to the whooping crane’s survival.
If the whoopers’ trouble are a sign that we’re having problems today with river flow, Exelon’s reservation of 24 billion gallons of water annually from the Guadalupe River will only make the situation worse. There’s simply not enough water at this site or from this river system for a thirsty nuclear plant, especially during a drought.
We believe the GBRA is over allocating the river, yet continues to make water reservations. GBRA must meet the requirements of H.B. 3776; when they do, there is not enough water left in the river to meet Exelon’s needs as well.
Neither the GBRA, Exelon nor the NRC want to admit that this is the wrong site for such a water-intensive industry. Its not a good use of the last remaining fresh water in the Guadalupe River Basin.
Wouldn’t the Victoria Advocate’s editorial board want to write about that? How can you be concerned about the whooper’s fresh water needs and also be silent on the effect of a thirsty nuclear plant.
Exelon’s licensing process requires an assessment on the impact on the environment, including threatened or endangered species in accordance with the Endangered Species Act. How could you not bring that up in your article.
If you are genuinely concerned about this issue, you need to address this critical part of the story.
John Figer
TSEPA
SpeakupVictoria.com
