Finding the Silver Lining in California's Drought

Water Lawyer Michael George details the causes and effects of the current California drought, and sees hope that pinched water supplies may drive innovation and collaboration in building sustainable water systems in the West.

1 minute read

June 4, 2009, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The article is an op-ed by Michael George, who is currentlysenior manging director at Sutter Securities Incorporated.

"Unlike prior droughts, however, the drought of 2009 compounds the physical drought with a regulatory drought. In a series of cases aimed at protecting the environment, federal courts have constrained the use of the pumps which take water from the Delta and deliver it to the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project."

"The first hint of potential good news is that the pernicious and wide-spread effects of the drought have catalyzed cooperation to solve the problem. One example is the coordination of public awareness campaigns by public and private water utilities to inform Southern Californians that water conservation must be taken to a new and more efficient level if we are to make it through the summer months."

Friday, May 29, 2009 in The Planning Report

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