I lived in Arizona for 6 years in the 90's, leaving in '98. Currently, I am back in the area North of Tucson on a house sitting assignment. Tucson has grown from a population of 425,000 in '98 to well over 1 million presently. This places tremendous pressure on all resources. I understand that last winter and during the monsoon season in the summer the state got more snow and rain than it had in many years. Still, the rate of growth must be evaluated, not only due to limited water, but other resources such as roads. I can say that the area around Tucson does not have lawns, unlike Phoenix. IMO, it is rather ludicrous to move to the desert and demand a lawn in an area where water is so crucial.
When you drive on Interstate 5 one sees faded billboards on farmland begging for water. Meanwhile, the Resnicks, the owners of Fiji Water, POM juice, almond crops, etc. use their money to bank huge amounts of water depleting the availability of the water for other farmers. No one questions them because they donate to all the right causes with hospital wings bearing their name. https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/08/lynda-stewart-resnick-california-water/
In my opinion, this is why we need to localize food systems which includes developing local cuisines that can be produced where one lives. Everything else needs to be treated as luxury items. In other words, we should eat like our ancestors did. It is ridiculous that bananas and avocadoes have become staples in Vermont or even in Tennessee.
I grew up in the Imperial Valley, an agricultural/farming county, which is located in the SE corner of California, with Baja CA Mexico’s to the south and Arizona to the East. Without water there would be no Imperial Valley, not agriculture, no farming. The Imperial Valley gets its water from the Colorado Rover, the same place that Arizona draws it’s water from.
The Imperial Valley is where all you ‘east coasters’ get your winter vegetables, like lettuce and carrots.
My grandparents settled in the Imperial Valley in the early 1900’s, coming across the country from Maryland to be dairy farmers. It was my grandfather, his brother and my grandmother and her sister. (The two sisters married the two brothers.)
They eventually dumped the pursuit of dairy farming and went into being “millers” of grain and seed, and were quite successful. The business still exists today, now owned by a non family member.
My other grandparents were ‘citrus farmers’ in the north end of the Imperial Valley, and sold there property in the early 70’s and retired to a farming agricultural community in NoCA.
Water and water rights that accompany the land, is a big deal for the farmers in the Imperial Valley. They ‘lobby’ hard in Sacramento and in the regional SW water meetings to retain those rights. Some have even sold the water rights on their land for big $$$. I’m not aware of ‘foreign interests’ buying land in the Imperial Valley. I do know that what is grown in the Imperial Valley gets shipped all over the U.S. and overseas.
Thanks for bringing this issue to light as many people have no clue about the water issues that challenge the Southwest.
I lived in Arizona for 6 years in the 90's, leaving in '98. Currently, I am back in the area North of Tucson on a house sitting assignment. Tucson has grown from a population of 425,000 in '98 to well over 1 million presently. This places tremendous pressure on all resources. I understand that last winter and during the monsoon season in the summer the state got more snow and rain than it had in many years. Still, the rate of growth must be evaluated, not only due to limited water, but other resources such as roads. I can say that the area around Tucson does not have lawns, unlike Phoenix. IMO, it is rather ludicrous to move to the desert and demand a lawn in an area where water is so crucial.
Ludicrous is the word.... :)
When you drive on Interstate 5 one sees faded billboards on farmland begging for water. Meanwhile, the Resnicks, the owners of Fiji Water, POM juice, almond crops, etc. use their money to bank huge amounts of water depleting the availability of the water for other farmers. No one questions them because they donate to all the right causes with hospital wings bearing their name. https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/08/lynda-stewart-resnick-california-water/
Thank you John. I’m hoping that increased awareness of all the agricultural and ranching issues will help move the needle towards sanity
That, or people will starve.
In my opinion, this is why we need to localize food systems which includes developing local cuisines that can be produced where one lives. Everything else needs to be treated as luxury items. In other words, we should eat like our ancestors did. It is ridiculous that bananas and avocadoes have become staples in Vermont or even in Tennessee.
Though I'd still like to be able to buy bananas and avocadoes.... But Vermont makes coffee now.... :)
Sure, as luxury items! :-)
Which is exactly what they are..... People take so much for granted, at their peril.
thanks, this is related
https://www.lewrockwell.com/2023/12/no_author/12-places-to-get-water-in-the-city-after-shtf/
We have a potable spring, most of the year. :)
I grew up in the Imperial Valley, an agricultural/farming county, which is located in the SE corner of California, with Baja CA Mexico’s to the south and Arizona to the East. Without water there would be no Imperial Valley, not agriculture, no farming. The Imperial Valley gets its water from the Colorado Rover, the same place that Arizona draws it’s water from.
The Imperial Valley is where all you ‘east coasters’ get your winter vegetables, like lettuce and carrots.
My grandparents settled in the Imperial Valley in the early 1900’s, coming across the country from Maryland to be dairy farmers. It was my grandfather, his brother and my grandmother and her sister. (The two sisters married the two brothers.)
They eventually dumped the pursuit of dairy farming and went into being “millers” of grain and seed, and were quite successful. The business still exists today, now owned by a non family member.
My other grandparents were ‘citrus farmers’ in the north end of the Imperial Valley, and sold there property in the early 70’s and retired to a farming agricultural community in NoCA.
Water and water rights that accompany the land, is a big deal for the farmers in the Imperial Valley. They ‘lobby’ hard in Sacramento and in the regional SW water meetings to retain those rights. Some have even sold the water rights on their land for big $$$. I’m not aware of ‘foreign interests’ buying land in the Imperial Valley. I do know that what is grown in the Imperial Valley gets shipped all over the U.S. and overseas.
Thanks for bringing this issue to light as many people have no clue about the water issues that challenge the Southwest.