Citing drought, feds won't allocate any water to California farmers

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

ASSOCIATED PRESS
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With California entering the third year of severe drought, federal officials said Wednesday they won’t deliver any water to farmers in the state’s major agricultural region — a decision that will force many to plant fewer crops in the fertile soil that yields the bulk of the nation’s fruits, nuts and vegetables.

“It’s devastating to the agricultural economy and to those people that rely on it,” said Ernest Conant, regional director for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. “But unfortunately we can’t make it rain.”

The federal government operates the Central Valley Project in California, a complex system of dams, reservoirs and canals. It’s one of two major water systems the state relies on for agriculture, drinking water, and the environment. The other system is run by the state government.

Water agencies contract with the federal government for certain amounts of water each year. In February, the federal government announces how much of those contracts can be fulfilled based on how much water is available. The government then updates the allocations throughout the year base

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/citing-drought-feds-won-t-allocate-any-water-to-california-farmers/ar-AAUdJrT

[DFW]

1. I wish we could build a fresh water pipeline from here

Northwestern Europe has been getting so much rain lately that I think the next fashion show for footwear will only feature designer galoshes.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. Prepare for serious food shortages next year.

[Mickju]

3. I guess they have to face reality some time.

Not that I'm happy about it, it's awful and could have nation wide repercussions.

[hunter]

4. Well, shit.

In a rational world this would be an opportunity to quit farming a certain percentage of California's Central Valley permanently. In the short term we could pay displaced agricultural workers to restore the land to something resembling a natural state.

Instead we'll get the usual evil clown show screaming for more dams that will never be filled for the simple reason there's not enough rain and snow.

Along with that we'll get deeper wells, higher energy bills for everyone, dust storms, and entire communities without water.

One of the faults of the U.S.A. is that we reflexively assume agriculture is a good thing. In reality certain types of farming are especially bad for the natural environment and certain farmers are assholes who abuse workers and animals while taking more from society than they produce.

[hatrack]

5. Well, better drain that aquifer just a little bit faster then!

[NickB79]

6. Drought in the West, fertilizer shortages in the Midwest and Europe

Sanctions on Russia, and war in Ukraine.

Food's gonna get spendy