Federal officials and conservation groups reached an agreement Wednesday that will end Nestlé Corporation’s ability to rely on a permit—that expired 30 years ago—to siphon water from the San Bernardino National Forest for its massive bottled-water operation. The company’s diversion has severely reduced water in spring-fed Strawberry Creek. The settlement requires the U.S. Forest Service to decide in 30 days whether or not to issue a new permit for the pipeline. Under the expired permit, Nestlé siphoned off as much as 162 million gallons of water a year from Strawberry Creek. Nestlé, the world’s largest water-bottling company, earned $8.3 billion in profits from its water business in 2016. U.S. Geological Survey reports from July 2017 show that, despite heavy winter precipitation across California, Strawberry Creek’s streamflow levels were the lowest since the agency began keeping track 96 years ago. The groups are urging the Forest Service to deny a new permit to Nestlé to safeguard the public land, water, plants and animals of the San Bernardino National Forest. If a new permit is issued, the agency should ensure there is enough water left in Strawberry Creek to support fish, wildlife and native plants year round.
CONSERVATION GROUPS REACH SETTLEMENT WITH NESTLE OVER WATER RIGHTS IN SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS
