www.fresnobee.com/263/story/350475.html -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 1/25/2008
Last Visited: 1/26/2008
WASHINGTON -- Attorney Hal Candee is leaving the Natural Resources Defense Council after two decades of trying to reshape the San Joaquin Valley.Well known but not always well loved by Valley farmers and lawmakers, Candee is swapping full-time environmental advocacy for a position with a San Francisco law firm.His midlife transition comes at a particularly sensitive moment for efforts to restore the San Joaquin River, one of Candee's longtime passions."It is sad to leave so many great friends," Candee said Friday, "but I am also ready for a change and looking forward to joining a firm that has a terrific reputation and a strong commitment to environmental work and many other public-interest causes."Candee, who turns 55 this month, will be joining the small San Francisco-based firm Altshuler Berzon LLP.He will still be involved as outside counsel in some San Joaquin Valley issues, including river restoration.Still, Candee's departure from his job as senior attorney at the NRDC punctuates a long chapter in the history of Western water policy.
...
"To his credit, Hal recognized that ... it was in the best interest of the river and all parties that a settlement be forged to resolve the dispute.""It's telling when the negotiators start leaving," said Rep.