Environmental Civil War

[as promised!] The Nature Conservancy (TNC) recently became the first major environmental organization to come out in favor of the Peripheral Canal. (There were many stories, but that link goes to a critical one.)

But other environmental organizations are not so happy with that "solution". Someone sent me a draft resolution [no link :(] of the California Nevada Regional Conservation Committee of the Sierra Club (CNRCCSC!) that says:

2.9 AGRICULTURAL WATER CONSERVATION

2.91. For regions supplied by water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the Sierra Club supports the establishment of agricultural water conservation and efficiency scenarios including modest crop shifting, smart irrigation scheduling, advanced irrigation management, and efficient irrigation technology; also planned short term fallowing of some field-crop acreage and permanent fallowing of drainage-impaired lands in the San Joaquin Valley.

Under "Arguments For," the CNRCCSC cites the Pacific Institute's flawed report as evidence in favor of the "conservation is easy" solution to the Delta's problems.

Under "Arguments Against," CNRCCSC has

Mike Wade, executive director of the California Farm Water Coalition, was quoted as saying, “The idea that farmers are not seeking more efficient ways to do business is an insult to California agriculture. Changes are occurring when it's cost-effective and when the technology is available.” Wade said the market -- not policymakers -- drives crop choices.

Those stupid markets again!

[Note that I oppose the Peripheral Canal for other reasons -- too much money and risk compared to the alternative of fixing water allocation in Central and Southern California.]

So how will this be resolved? Through politics, unfortunately. There is too much uncertainty over any solution to make a strictly scientific case, so everyone chooses his favorite pundit, takes a quick look at the fundraising potential (TNC may benefit from restoration work in the Delta, CNRCCSC has local members to please, etc.), and then declares the other side crazy.

Bottom Line: With big, centrally-planned projects, it's winner takes all. I'd prefer more market signals (nobody is paying much for Delta water) and numerous, smaller moves (enviros can buy out Delta farmers to reduce local stress) to such a one size fits all, big bang, Terminator-style ending.

hattips to DW and TT