Feds may cut water to California farms
If drought deepens, state to make drastic move; revenue, jobs affected
msnbc.com staff and news service reports
updated 2:06 p.m. MT, Fri., Feb. 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Federal water managers said they may have to cut off all water to some of California’s largest farms as a result of the deepening drought affecting the state.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation officials said Friday that parched reservoirs and patchy snow and rainfall this year would likely force them to cut surface water deliveries completely. It would be the first time in more than 15 years such a move was taken.
The move would be a blow to farmers, who say the price of some crops would likely rise if they have to rely only on well water. The state estimates it would cause $1 billion in lost revenue and cost 40,000 jobs. Read More
In visiting with several friends in agriculture from California, they have said that California doesn’t have a water problem, they have a water storage problem. The state has an incredible system of catching water for future use, however, an expansion is overdue. It will be interesting to see who does get to use the available water. Because watering a golf course or filling a swimming pool is not the best us of a scarce resource when food could be grown with it.
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