Agriculture uses 80% of all developed water uses in the western states — See articles and papers on the topic
Arizona governor blocks Saudi Arabia from pumping water in the drought-stricken state: ‘It’s unacceptable’ by Leo CollisArizona governor blocks Saudi Arabia from pumping water in the drought-stricken state: ‘It’s unacceptable’ by Leo CollisThis article discusses how Arizona is taking action that will set a precedent for other states to follow: shutting down non-beneficial water use on thirsty crops that do not serve the public interest -- in fact -- harm the public by way of impairing the ecosystem they rely upon for survival. From the article: 'Arizona has taken a stand on irresponsible groundwater use, canceling the lease of Saudi-owned farm Fondomonte, which had essentially unrestricted access to Arizona water supplies...As the AP reported, the office of Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said the “excessive amounts of water” being pumped from the land was “unacceptable.” It is especially troubling for a state that has seen increased drought in recent years as a result of global heating.'
Big Farms and Flawless Fries Are Gulping Water in the Land of 10,000 Lakes
Oregon, mecca of weed, to crack down on illegal pot growers by holding landowners responsible by Andrew SelskyOregon, mecca of weed, to crack down on illegal pot growers by holding landowners responsible by Andrew SelskyThis article discusses the passage of SB 326 in the Oregon Legislature that holds property owners responsible for cleaning up the waste left over from illegal cannabis grows and also says it's illegal to use any water from any source regardless of the presence of water rights to irrigate unlicensed cannabis plants. This is the first time the law has said that it's not a beneficial use of water to use a water right for irrigation based on plant type and legal status, This bill also substantially increases the penalties for violations.
Hay – yes, hay – is sucking the Colorado River dry by Samuel ShawHay – yes, hay – is sucking the Colorado River dry by Samuel ShawThis article discusses how much water hay products use. From the article: 'California’s Imperial Valley, a juggernaut of hay output, laps up more water than anywhere in the whole Colorado River Basin, accounting for 80% of the state’s allotment. A quarter of the 2.4 million acre-feet the All-American Canal brings into the valley goes to alfalfa fields. Located in the Sonoran Desert, it’s one of the hottest places in California and one of the driest, too — even drier than Las Vegas, averaging three inches of rain a year.' Further on, the reporter notes: 'In fact, much of the Colorado River is exported as hay. Rising demand for dairy products in the Middle East and skyrocketing beef consumption across the globe are driving up the demand; 40% of the alfalfa grown in California in 2020 was shrink-wrapped, containerized, and shipped to cows on the other side of Earth.'
Foreign Firms Sucking “Virtual” Water From America’s Parched Southwest by Diana KruzmanForeign Firms Sucking “Virtual” Water From America’s Parched Southwest by Diana KruzmanThis article discusses the increasing problem of Virtual Water Exports -- agricultural products grown using precious water resources are exported. With increasing water scarcity, the use of water in areas of declining aquifers and streams for agricultural exports is becoming viewed as non-beneficial uses of water. From the article: '“It’s another case of, you suck out all the resources, then ship off the wealth and the value someplace else, and the local people get some kind of pittance,” said Jody Emel, a research scientist at Clark University and former water resource planner in Arizona. She said she believes that prior appropriation water laws granting nearly unlimited access for “beneficial use,” which includes agriculture, will have to be revisited. “I think if we don’t deal with science,” she added, “we’re doomed.”'
Meet the California farmers awash in Colorado River water, even in a drought
Facing Colorado River shortage, 30 urban suppliers pledge to target decorative grass
Want to solve climate change? This California farm kingdom holds a keyWant to solve climate change? This California farm kingdom holds a key by Sammy RothThis extensive, in-depth article (series) explores the cultural, social, environmental, and political ramifications of what seems like a no-brainer: with climate change breathing down our backs, the Colorado River drying up, and the need to shift to renewable energy, why not embrace replacing water-intensive crops grown in an arid desert with solar panels? Local farmers will lose their way of life, which is personal to them. This is a legitimate critique every colonized community has ever experienced. Included in this concern is the painful shift from one job-sector to another: from farm hands to electricians. 'Asking farmers like Vessey to reimagine their livelihoods for the sake of a global emergency may not be fair. But the same is true for coal miners, loggers, autoworkers and many other professions. The consequences of fossil fuel combustion are so dangerous, and escalating so quickly, that scientists say we’ve got no choice.' Following that, Environmental health is also a major concern as the Salton Sea dries up. This body of water is sustained by agricultural water runoff, and as irrigation reduction occurs, the lake dries up. 'As the water retreats, intense winds bombard the dry lake bed, stirring up dust particles laced with pesticides and heavy metals. The particles blow south, further fouling the air breathed by low-income Latino communities. Imperial County children are rushed to the emergency room for asthma attacks at a higher rate than anywhere else in the state.' As such, farmers argue solar farming is a water-grab. One major oversight in this lengthy series, so large that it had to be known, is the omission of how fossil-fuel intensive and environmentally destructive solar panel infrastructure is. Newton Law says there is no free lunch, and every drop of energy these solar farms produce is paid for in full by natural and human resources. Obscuring this fact is the political section of this article that is is made prominent by its absence. When taken into consideration, solarization of the desert is on par with the folly of irrigating the desert.
Letters to the Editor: Should more desert farmland in California be used for solar?Letters to the Editor: Should more desert farmland in California be used for solar?These letters follow on the in-depth article series titled: 'Want to solve climate change? This California farm kingdom holds a key.' Of note is a letter that begins with: 'The question in the article, “What is the land’s best use?” should be followed by, “What is water’s best use in California?”' and ends with: 'Let’s value water based on the priority of its use: drinking water, sustainable food production, and sustainable environmental protection.'
Letters to the Editor: Save the Colorado River. Stop growing alfalfa in the desertLetters to the Editor: Save the Colorado River. Stop growing alfalfa in the desertHere are a few letters to the editor that represent a common theme in the public's views about beneficial use of water. Leave it to the public to provide the straight talk without political equivocations. Bottom line: subsidies of free or near-free water are a historic inequity that can no longer be sustained.
Letters to the Editor: We grow rice in California? That’s unwise even when there isn’t a drought
Wells are running dry in drought-weary Southwest as foreign-owned farms guzzle water to feed cattle overseas
‘It’s a disaster.’ Drought dramatically shrinking California farmland, costing $1.7 billion
The Colorado River’s alfalfa problem
Booming demand for hay in Asia, Middle East driving agribusiness in the California desertBooming demand for hay in Asia, Middle East driving agribusiness in the California desertThis article is an in-depth look at the circumstances around growing irrigated hay products for export to Asian markets. At issue is the 'Virtual Water Export' to regions unable or unwilling to grow their own hay and alfalfa. It is often because they lack the water; meanwhile, the U.S. desert aquifers and Colorado River are pumped nearly dry. From the article: 'When the crops are shipped abroad, they represent a transfer of “virtual water” — one of many transactions in the global economy that involve a flow of water embedded in the commodities and products that are bought and sold. Transferring water overseas in crops such as hay has drawn questions and criticism, especially at a time when the Colorado River is under growing strains due to drought, population growth and climate change.'
It’s the thirstiest crop in the US south-west. Will the drought put alfalfa farmers out of business?
California drought pits farmers vs. cities. But neither is the biggest water victim
‘Last nail in the coffin’: Utah’s Great Salt Lake on verge of collapse ‘Last nail in the coffin’: Utah’s Great Salt Lake on verge of collapse by Maanvi SinghThis article discusses the need to stop diverting streamflow before it reaches the Great Salt Lake. Diversions are mostly for agriculture; a smaller amount for lawns. The lake may dry up entirely in 5 years causing a serious cascade of negative impacts. 'A legacy of water overuse is the main threat to the largest saltwater lake in the western hemisphere, and huge water diversions to irrigate vast operations to grow alfalfa and hay are no longer sustainable in Utah, said Ben Abbott, an ecologist at Brigham Young University and one of the report’s lead authors, nor are lush lawns in cities and suburbs.'
For Mormons, a perfect lawn is a godly act. But the drought is catching up with them
Exporting the Colorado River to Asia, Through Hay
‘Talk About Clusterf—’: Why Legal Weed Didn’t Kill Oregon’s Black Market
‘Something’s not right in southern Oregon’: alarm at rise of illegal pot farms
Chris Reed: Why drought should have California’s almond, alfalfa farmers deeply worried
Promises up in smoke
Illegal marijuana farms take West’s water in ‘blatant theft’
Ripple Effect: Water enforcement and illegal marijuana grows
Report: Illegal Cannabis Grows in Oregon’s Illinois Valley Impacting Environment
Report shows cannabis industry impacting Illinois Valley water
For cannabis farms, ecosystem science is scarce
Editorial: It’s time for Oregon to do more to fight illicit drug trade
Illegal pot invades California’s deserts, bringing violence, fear, ecological destruction
Migrant Oregon weed workers face threats amid illegal boom
Residents take concerns over illegal Marijuana grows in Josephine to state officials
Awash in illegal pot farms, Oregon plans millions for relief
More than 4,000,000 gallons of water estimated used at illegal Klamath Co. grow site