Farmers say they don't want a "water master" telling them what to do, or at least being unable to protect their crops, yet the already threatened salmon are as vital a food source as agriculture, so they may not have a choice but to be "dictated to" by the state. They want to "solve the problem locally".
Okay, but I get the sneaking suspicion this will turn into one of those "you can't tell private property owners what to do with their land" routines all too common with agriculture issues. You know, the thing where whatever I do on my land is my business, not the gummints, and screw anyone downstream or next door. It is never pretty, as examples of extremes are held up by all sides as what will inevitably happen if things go this way or that.
And let's be honest here. "Agriculture" in this part of the world usually means vineyards growing grapes, a crop infamous for requiring massive amounts of water to prosper. The powerful wine industry will have quite a task convincing the rubes that Syrah should take precedence over salmon, but if they can figure out a way to bring the regions organic farmers onto their side, who knows?
Water is ultimately its own master, and once its gone frost on the pumpkins will be the least of our worries.
