Water Shortages Threaten the American West Lifestyle
Report
From Miller-McCune – Friday, May 13, 2011
Coalition response...There are several points in this report that needs clarification or correction:
1. Not sure where the author gets his information regarding losses of fruit and vegetable production. Here in California our farmers have increased their production by 89% from 1967 to 2000 with only a 2% increase in applied water per acre.
2. People are wrong when they claim agriculture uses 80% of available water. This myth has been dispelled by the California Department of Water Resources in its State Water Plan that the State’s applied water is divided accordingly: environmental use/48%; farm use/41%; and urban use/11%. In addition, it is the entire population that benefits from food production, not just farmers. Doesn’t that make people who eat food part of the farm water component?
3. Gleick’s assertion that “water-management strategies and infrastructure were conceived under the mistaken assumption that the climate of the future will mimic that of the past” is nothing more than 20/20 hindsight. While it is essential that we learn from the past we must be careful not to criticize previous planning decisions because they were based on a specific set of facts and circumstances. The construction and management of water projects were based on filling a need; such as the development of farmland and the production of a reliable food supply as two of the reasons for the Central Valley Project. The result is that we have a source of safe, healthy and affordable food and who can argue that that’s not a good thing?
An agreement must be reached to restore Delta
Editorial
From Fresno Bee – Friday, May 13, 2011
Coalition response...This editorial is correct that an agreement in the Delta is necessary to safeguard California’s water future. NRC scientists made some very strong statements following their review of the BDCP work that is now six months old. They acknowledged that ongoing BDCP studies are already filling in the gaps and that there is no need to restart the process. Perhaps the most telling of all statements was that the science being used in the BDCP process is “sound.” BDCP has brought us the closest in years to a Delta resolution and now is not the time to abandon it.
NOAA, USACE, and USGS partner to face water supply challenges
Story
From Western Farm Press – Friday, may 13, 2011
Coalition response...Efforts to secure reliable water supplies in the future are always welcome. This announced partnership will also benefit from the knowledge and experience of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
WATER SUPPLY
Panelists Focus on Reasonable Use, Agricultural Water
Story
From ACWA – Thursday, May 12, 2011
Lake Mead water levels to rise even more
Story
From AzCentral – Thursday, May 12, 2011
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