Opinion: State’s leaders must change water agreements to reflect climate realities
California’s once-abundant salmon runs are on the verge of collapse. That’s a tragedy, but this story is bigger than the extinction of an iconic fish that once fed millions of people and was the basis of thriving commercial, tribal and sport fisheries. … Our salmon are flirting with extinction because they’re not getting the cold water they need to survive. … Although they were aware of the growing water crisis, state and federal water managers have drawn down reservoirs rapidly over the past three years, leaving cold water — indeed, any water — in short supply. Why? To provide water to a small subset of commercial growers.
-Written by Tom Stokely, a member of the board of the California Water Impact Network, a nonprofit working for the equitable distribution of water resources.Related article: