Alaska Water Pipeline
In response to “How to Combat the Drought Next Time,” editorial, June 24:
Instituting more planning by “water specialists” and less irrigating of polluted land does not address the fundamental water policy problem facing California. As long as farmers, who use 85% of California’s water, are heavily subsidized they lack the incentive to conserve. Farmers currently pay as little as $10 per acre-foot for water, up to $90 less than the cost of production.
The California Water Code was amended in 1982 to eliminate forfeiture of water rights due to conservation. However, most farmers still maintain the “use it or lose it” mentality and will only respond to appropriate market pricing.
A combination of policy changes and market forces will carry California through the next drought.
WILLIAM C. McBRIDE, Corona del Mar
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