Assemblyman Adam Gray is coordinating a rally scheduled for Monday, Aug. 20 at noon on the north steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento to protest the State water board’s plan to ‘hijack’ billions of gallons of water from the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers.

Officials with the Save The Stan group note that the state has falsely claimed increased “unimpaired flows” will boost salmon populations in the rivers – ignoring scientific data that shows reducing predation and restoring habitat also are critical factors.

The state’s plan could lead to billions of dollars in economic damage each year throughout the region. Everyone would be affected in one way or another.

Save the Stan is encouraging businessmen and women, political leaders, farmers and everyday citizens to come together on Aug. 20 in Sacramento. The goal is to speak loudly with one voice to stop this water grab.

Bus transportation is being arranged by the Farm Bureaus in Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced counties. Those planning to attend must call in advance to reserve a spot. Merced: 8 a.m. departure, call (209) 723-3001; Turlock: 9 a.m. departure, (209) 522-7278; and Stockton: 10:30 a.m. departure, call (209) 931-4931.

Like the group on Facebook for updates: savethestan.org.