This weekend, Bakersfield Californian columnist Lois Henry published an informative piece on the water management issues that nearly resulted in loss of water to millions of Californians. Henry’s column is well worth a read: in addition to providing a history of this year’s numerous Federal tinkering with water allocation, it also touches on what motivated the tinkering to begin with.

Chart of Federal Water System in California
Federal Water System in California. Originally published in the Bakersfield Californian

What Henry outlines are a series of decisions made without reliance on sound science—decisions made repeatedly, when each time the desired effect is never achieved. Going forward, we should rely on sound decision making that clearly benefits all sectors of California—not just one sector that hasn’t yet been shown to benefit. The efforts of water districts in California as well as the Department of Water Resources to mitigate these unwise Federal choices should be commended. If you haven’t already, please read Lois Henry’s column for a better understanding of the consequences of short-sighted water policy.

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