New water policy should include more storage, infrastructure

Re “Erratic weather requires new water policy approach”; Commentary, Dan Walters, Feb. 8, 2022

I agree with the suggestion that new approaches to water supply are necessary.

However, we need to avoid “solutions” that cut allocations to an industry that feeds the nation and supports the livelihood of communities and the economy of the Central Valley. As a side note, California farmers have decreased their water usage by double digits since 1980 and continue to get more efficient.

Less locally grown food means significant job loss, mostly in disadvantaged communities; more imports mean higher food costs and exponential increases in pollution from all the miles food would have to travel to get to California. Also,  other countries may have fewer regulations for food safety. We need to steer clear of “solutions” that ultimately create more problems.

California farming simply can’t pick up and move. However, we can adjust to climate change by investing in long-term solutions, including investments in water infrastructure. We need many more projects built in our watershed. We must build more water storage. 

Years ago, the San Joaquin Valley was mainly desert. It was the vision of our forefathers that brought a water system to our great Valley and turned the desert into the breadbasket of the world. It seems that we are going backward.