California Water Battle Goes to Congress
A bill to expand a local water recycling program has seen a surprising amount of debate in Congress. The House spent over three hours on Thursday attempting to decide whether or not to allow the creation of six water recycling projects in the area around San Francisco. The bill was eventually passed, but drew the attention it did because some said that increasing the supply of water in San Francisco would spur attacks from California’s relatively dry farm belt, and would tip congressional races in the GOP’s favor next year.
One of the nation’s most productive areas of farmland has been uncharacteristically dry because of a water shortage caused by a three-year drought, in addition to restrictions upon catching a native fish. Several lawmakers from the San Joaquin Valley have described the economic dry spot as their own version of Hurricane Katrina. The hardest-hit communities report unemployment rates of almost forty percent.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.