Water protection is critical

With groundwater sources across the state sinking by more than a foot a year and reports of wells going dry, the Groundwater Protection Act was finally approved, which is good news. Its effective date, however, is not immediate enough to help address our drought, and is somewhat dependent on various municipal legislative bodies.

The legislative package requires water basin managers throughout the state to draft plans to stop the overdraft of groundwater resources. It also allows the state to review the plans and step in to enforce them if necessary. Provisions in the law could take a year or more to implement.

Groundwater is a critical natural resource in California that should be protected. Up to 65 percent of the state’s water supplies could come from groundwater this year, and with the ongoing drought, groundwater is a more limited resource than ever. California had been the only western state without legislation protecting against overuse of groundwater. The drought is the catalyst to get the protection for water use.

Why did legislation here take so long?

Many coastal communities and farmers depend on groundwater and the fact that it is taking too long to approve this act is not only affecting the water use, but also the income of those farmers and the state economy.

The Groundwater Protection Act helps us see that water should be treated as a shared resource, to not take advantage of water and not treat it as a property right to fight over.

But with the drought straining water supplies and setting off a well-drilling frenzy, local water managers have begun accepting the notion that regional authority need not be absolute, according to Timothy Quinn of the Association of California Water Agencies. He called the bill a necessary remedy for what has been “a simmering crisis for half a century.”

Why has a state in a dire drought waited so long for a solution that affects not only the local environment, but the well-being of California itself?

Other Stories

Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Campus Times Editorial Board.

Latest Stories

Related articles

Senate bill would ban AI therapists

The California Legislature has voted to implement Senate Bill 903, would ban artificial intelligence chatbots that provide mental health therapy services and will place regulations when AI is used in health spaces.

Students use fashion to promote political ideas and honor their cultures

Ahsha Jones, senior psychology major, gets up every morning ready to tackle her long list of daily activities. However, before she can step out of her dorm room, she puts together an outfit that not only allows her to be comfortable but also expresses where she comes from.

Federal financial aid changes could hurt students

Starting July 1 college students and graduate students will see changes to their financial aid packages.

Talk considers the Iran war

The International Studies Institute hosted “Iran War: How Did We Get Here?” at noon on April 30.