Seeing salmon returned to the San Joaquin River, even experimental populations, is exciting for many people but we can't let the news of the day divert our attention from a serious situation. Thousands of farmers gave up water in the negotiated settlement to restore the river and downstream areas that are subject to flooding without adequate protections. Promises were made that provided for a way to recapture some of the water used to restore the river and return it for the purposes of growing food. So far the promise remains without any concrete plan on how, or even if, it will happen. The other issue is the need for a set of protections that must be in place to prevent crop losses and private property impacts in the downstream reaches of the river after restoration flows commence. We have already seen flooding from earlier experimental flows. Full restoration of the river without addressing these lingering issues could devastate local economies and the food supply that comes from one of California's most important farming regions. Mike Wade California Farm Water Coalition