Conservation works for California farmers. We have made constant and consistent improvements in water efficiency. But conservation is not a limitless source of new water for California. Plants need a certain amount of water to produce a crop. And reducing water to farmland can affect the ecology of the farm.
Conservation has consequences.
As agriculture has switched to micro-irrigation, we have seen salts begin to build up in our soil because we weren't providing the soil with enough moisture to flush them out. We'll work through those problems and become even more efficient. But we believe Cal-Fed should place greater emphasis on development of new water supplies. Those new water supplies will be crucial for California's environment, especially during dry years. Cal-Fed should accelerate plans to keep more water in storage during wet years, so we have it available for the environment and people when our next drought hits.