Long-time environmental attorney Tom Graff, a well-known figure in California's water wars over the last several decades, died Thursday after a long bout with cancer.

Graff, 65, opened the California office of the Environmental Defense Fund in 1971. Graff is known in the San Joaquin Valley as someone who fought to stop farm drainage contamination.

He is remembered as the environmental pioneer who hired expert economists, biologists and computer specialists to acquire the knowledge and background needed to fight for the ecosystem.

There are many tributes being written for Graff. Among them is this one is from Tom Philp, former Sacramento Bee editorial writer and Pulitzer Prize winner.