Addressing the drought

The fact that California’s Catholic bishops are praying and asking everyone to pray for rain in our state is a sign of the seriousness of the drought. It can even be considered one of several indications for the need to declare a state of emergency because of water shortages.

In 2013, California experienced one of the driest years in recent times. The unusual lack of rain in December, which is normally one of the year’s wettest months, shows that the drought is not about to stop.

California’s water depends on the amount of rainfall and snow deposits in the mountains. The first Sierra Nevada snow survey of the winter showed that the amount of snow is barely 20% of the usual amount for this time of the year. At the same time, it is estimated that 88% of the state is experiencing severe drought, while in more than 20%, water shortages are extreme.

Therefore, it is necessary for Governor Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency in California as soon as possible and ask President Obama to declare a federal disaster.

This will result, at the state level, in efforts to save water, implementation of fast procedures to transfer water and state reports on water conditions. As far as the federal level, it means obtaining help from federal agencies, opportunities to expedite water transfers and assistance with infrastructure and regulations.

Californians are used to droughts and know how important it is for government action to be accompanied by decreased consumption. Los Angeles is an example of that decrease. However, this new drought requires more individual water savings.

California’s agricultural economy depends on water and how quickly the state and federal governments take action.