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80% of California water goes to agricultural use, who get it at far below market rates thanks to lobbying. California politicians talk a lot about lawn irrigat
by cynicalkane 12y ago
80% of California water goes to agricultural use, who get it at far below market rates thanks to lobbying.
California politicians talk a lot about lawn irrigation because they can't criticize the farm lobby and get away with it.
- anigbrowl 12y agoI have friends in the Central Valley, smakc in the middle of farm country. Farmers there mounted a big campaign against the new state water plan, as promoted by the governor and voted onto the ballot by the legislature, where it passed with an overwhelming majority. So enough politicians in key roles are willing to stand up to the farm lobby to make some big changes in long-term policy.
- jqm 12y agoI think it's more than lobbying. I think there are long term contracts in place guaranteeing certain groups certain amounts of water. Inefficient and impractical as it currently is.
- ikawe 12y agoMaybe because the utility of people growing a huge amount of crops in California is way more important to the state than people watering their lawns.