Central Valley: Buy Out Farmers at a Fair Price

“The $500-Million Water Bill” (editorial, Jan. 19) misled readers about Central Valley Project irrigation water on the San Joaquin Valley’s west side. The cost to provide CVP water to farms and communities is being repaid in full with the exception of the interest on the loan from the federal government. No one is getting a free ride, and the return on investment on the cost to construct the CVP is more than $55 billion, far more than the actual cost of the project.

It was well understood that the San Luis Drain was an integral part of the CVP. The decision not to construct the drain spelled the ultimate doom to much of the farmland that received CVP water. West-side farmers counted on the promises of the federal government to complete the project as planned. It never was. Nor is the amount of water being delivered that was contracted under the original terms of the CVP agreement. Most years, west-side farmers can only count on about 50% of their promised supply.

The decision to buy out a certain number of farms is the only way the federal government can fulfill its obligation to provide adequate water or drainage. Shortchanging farmers who have worked the land despite the failings of others is an unfair way to rectify a promise.

Mike Wade

California Farm Water Coalition, Sacramento