| Friend, California is suffering through a severe drought. Wildfires have already destroyed three times more land than was burned by this point in last year's record-setting season. Governor Gavin Newsom is asking all Californians to reduce their water consumption by 15% and declared a state of emergency in 50 counties.(1) So why is Nestlé -- now owned by Blue Triton Brands -- still being allowed to siphon millions of gallons of water from the San Bernardino National Forest?(2) The California Water Resources Board issued a cease and desist letter, which the billion-dollar corporation has ignored.(3) Now it's up to the U.S. Forest Service to deny a permit and stop the company from stealing our water. We are delivering more than 50,000 petition signatures to the Forest Service and planning a public action with Story of Stuff and SumOfUs outside its Washington, D.C., office to help California save its most precious resource. Will you chip in to help stop Nestlé from stealing California's water? While California's residents are expected to stop taking showers longer than five minutes and cut back on washing clothes and dishes, Nestlé's new owner, Blue Triton, is drawing 25 times the legal limit of water out of the aquifer under the San Bernardino forest.(4) The permit was originally granted in 1865, and hasn't kept up with new technology or water needs in the state. It is one of the reasons why Blue Triton bought the Arrowhead brand from Nestlé for more than $4 billion. The company is arguing that the Nestlé permit automatically transfers to the new company.(5) But the U.S. Forest Service is going to hold a hearing about whether Blue Triton will be granted Nestlé's permit, and that's where we come in. We have partnered with Story of Stuff to show the Forest Service and the public at large how Nestlé, and now Blue Triton, are swindling Californians to steal water and sell it back to us for profit. We are going to stage a public petition delivery and action, and demand that these water hogs don't take another drop. Will you chip in $5 to help save California's water? Yours in the fight for our environment, Molly, along with Angela, Annie, Caitlin, Irene, Jay, Lindsay, LisaMarie, Raquel, and Scottie (the Courage team) P.S. Courage California is fighting for equity and justice across the state and country. Will you become a monthly donor and help sustain our work? Donations go to support all of Courage California's work for a more progressive California and country. Follow us now on Facebook or Twitter! Footnotes:  |
|
Like what we do? Chip in to help fund the fight for a more progressive nation. Or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
 |