Chico Enterprise Record

Letter to Editor: Farmers won't lose in water wars

Article Launched: 06/15/2008 12:00:00 AM PDT

Your Tuesday editorial ("Capitol suffers drought of new ideas") correctly identified the key components of managing California's water crisis — water conservation, new water storage and a comprehensive water plan.

While there is much to agree with in the editorial, as director of the state Department of Water Resources, I'd like to correct the misconception that farmers are automatic losers when it comes to supply during dry years. When State Water Project deliveries are reduced, they are reduced equally to all water contractors, urban or agricultural.

The governor ordered facilitation of water transfers during emergency shortages. That means expediting the transfer of water through SWP facilities from willing sellers to willing buyers. Farmers may choose to transfer water to urban areas in mutually beneficial agreements.

In his most recent budget, the governor proposed a water bond that includes funding for new surface storage, water use efficiency and water recycling projects necessary because of expected impacts of climate change and population growth. The governor also set a goal to reduce statewide water consumption by 20 percent in the next 12 years. When these proposals were made in January/February 2008, the water outlook for the year was normal. But the governor recognizes water management takes long range planning and foresight.

The governor and DWR will continue to guide the state through this drought while seeking long-term solutions. We couldn't agree more that additional storage and comprehensive water plans along with conservation are necessary to ensure water supply reliability for future generations.

— Lester A. Snow, Sacramento