October 9, 2018
The Silent Squeeze on Agriculture
| Share of Total US Production | Crops Where California Accounts for Dominant Share of US Production |
| 95% – 100% | Almonds, Artichokes, Broccoli, Celery, Dates, Figs, Garlic, Kiwifruit, Olives, Pistachios, Plums, Prunes, Processed Strawberries, Processing Tomatoes, Walnuts |
| 85% – 95% | Nectarines, Lemons, Fresh Strawberries, Cauliflower, Apricots, Leaf Lettuce |
| 65% – 85% | Avocados, Fresh Carrots, Tangerines and Mandarins, Honeydew, Melons, Peaches, Head Lettuce, Romaine Lettuce, Fresh Spinach, Chili Peppers, Raspberries |
| 45% – 65% | Cantaloupe, Bell Peppers, Asparagus |
| 20% – 45% | Onions, Fresh Tomatoes, Fresh Cabbage, Pears, Fresh Market Corn |
If you had to guess what percentage of the total US production of broccoli came from California, what would you guess? How about almonds, artichokes, celery, dates, figs, garlic, kiwifruit, olives, processing tomatoes, pistachios, plums, prunes, processing strawberries, or walnuts?
If you answered between 95-100% for each product, you would be correct; this is not to mention all the other fruit, fiber, and vegetables of which California is the principal producer.
And yet, due to restrictive water policies, California agriculture is facing an existential threat. Water supply shortages during the 2013-16 drought were exacerbated by policies adopted for the putative protection of fish. The efficacy of many of those policies are being reevaluated by the United States Department of the Interior, but the State is pursuing new programs that could further reduce water supplies, even during average or wet hydrologic years. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is considering mandates that would increase river flows and Delta outflow with its proposed updates to the Water Quality Control Plan. If the SWRCB adopts the proposal made by its staff, even more water will be taken away from farms, businesses, and communities.
Indeed, the SWRCB staff estimates water supplies in areas south-of-Delta served by the Central Valley Project will be reduced by as much as 26%. These reductions will be borne by irrigation water service contractors and will be in addition to water supply reductions caused by actions to implement the 2006 Bay-Delta Plan, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
It’s time for honesty in the very worthwhile debate about how YOUR water is being prioritized.