Blue oaks and aquifer targeted by corporate vineyard (Lake)

While cycling through Lake County on my way to the Q-tip pepper spray trial in SF, i saw a flyer about the potential loss of blue oak woodlands and aquifer water from a corporate vineyard..

info below from http://www.vineyardwatch.org;

"Our group of neighbors and concerned friends were quietly minding our own business until we learned of Six Sigma Ranch (Diamond Mine) Vineyard's plan to expand it's vineyard and clear 130 acres of blue oak woodlands very close to a rural subdivision of mostly 5 acre parcel homes and small farms.

Children, the elderly , pets and livestock live close to the proposed vineyard clearing. Pesticide drift and contamination are a great concern for our residential area. We also need to safeguard against chemical contamination. Several Organic farmers live and grow food in the area.

Water Issue are our greatest concern.

Part of the vineyard's plan is to pump an additional 29 million gallons of water per year from a shared aquifer of limited size. Actual water use could be much greater. The water from our limited aquifer could be sent to other parts of the nearly 5000 acre ranch where water is less plentiful.

The residents of the area depend on their wells. An adequate hydrological study must be done. A groundwater monitoring and management plan must be done. If and when groundwater is depleted to a certain agreed-upon level, specific legally binding actions must be taken to preserve the integrity of the aquifer. Before this project is approved we need tests done on our area's natural springs, surface and groundwater so we will know if damage occurs to the water quantity or quality."

Something about the importance of both collective and personal vision occurred to me while heading to the Q-tip pepper spray trial in SF. Though i was unable to attend the solidarity rally on Weds at the courthouse, i had time to rest and think while waiting out the daytime heat of the valley in Cache Creek Wildlife Refuge..

Spent the day giving thanks for the ability to see and have legs to ride a bicycle. Looking at the Gray/Foothill pines (Pinus sabiana), the seductive beauty of their thin whispering threadlike needles, i really appreciate eyesight. Having vision, personal and collective, allows people to collect information and evaluate the conditions of our surroundings..

The people who had pepper spray swabbed into their eyes by Humboldt County Sheriffs were blinded for a period of time by the harsh chemicals found in the pepper spray. Long term side effects could interfere with the sensitive visual organs that enable people to see the lovely trees we try to protect. It was their vision (without blinders) that allowed them to observe the destruction caused by Maxxam/Pacific Lumber's devastating clear cut logging..

When the Humboldt Sheriff gave orders to swab pepper spray into the eyes of the forest defenders, they attacked the collective vision of people who see the problems caused by destructive corporate logging. Would law enforcement be happier if we all walked through life with blinders, engaging in mass consumption and being oblivious to the devastation caused by corporate greed..

Our collective and personal vision cannot be threatened by authority figures who wish to blind us from observing the truth..

Solidaridad! An attack on one is an attack on all..

http://www.nopepperspray.org