California is facing its worst drought in 100 years. California water reservoirs are at an all time low, and major water river systems, including the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers are flowing at increasingly slower rates. Combined with dry conditions and lack of precipitation, farmers and communities throughout the state are in need of a dependable water supply. On January 17th, California Governor Jerry Brown announced a state of emergency, calling all “Californians to conserve water in every way possible.”On a national scale, President Barack Obama paid a visit to the struggling farmers and communities in the San Joaquin Valley on February 14, and brought a ＄183 million aid package, including not only assistance for struggling communities, but also compensation money for the farmers who had lost livestock due to the drought. This move sparked controversy as critics called the monetary handout, a “short term solution to a long term problem.”However, the scramble to conserve water and the aid package are not enough to compensate for the farmer’s losses. The Associated Press reports, “The Central Valley of California produces nearly one-third of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, and Fresno County leads the nation in agriculture. However, much of this land will go unplanted this year due to lack of water.

In response to farmers’ desperate calls for immediate action, Democrats and Republicans proposed two different emergency bills. The Mercury News Editorial reports that, “The Senate [Democrats] plan would provide up to ＄300 million in drought aid and an additional 500,000 acre-feet of water from elsewhere in the state to the parched Central Valley”, while the House [Republicans] pressed forward a bill that, “would free up water for farmers by rolling back environmental protections and stop the restoration of a dried-up stretch of the San Joaquin River that once had salmon runs.”Environmental protection groups erupted in outrage at the House’s bill that could possibly revoke decade long environmental laws in favor of the interests of large agricultural corporations. As an alternative, Democratic Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer proposed a bill of their own that would provide ＄300 million into drought relief projects in an effort to leave environmental laws untouched. Although Congress has yet to come to a decision, the skies remain forbiddingly clear. Unfortunately, steps to secure a reliable source of water that will not sacrifice the environment remain uncertain.

Jasmine Lee
VanNuys High school
11th Grade