Daniel Weintraub: Delta is at heart of water crisis

Isn't it interesting that we hear about the peripheral canal only in times of economic and fiscal hardship, along with times of draught. The 1982 drive for the canal was a time of very stringent water rationing in the Bay Area. No wonder the residents didn't want water shipped south as their gardens died. Instead of dealing with the problem during the intervening times of plenty, when careful planning and rational decisions were possible, our legislators have abandoned their duties as usual, and left any decisions to be handled during a time of crisis. In other words, our legislators have failed us, yet again. Just as they do with the budget each year. I say fire them all in November.

The heart of the water crisis is prices.

Water prices should be set to maximize profit, like gas prices are.

We are rapidly approaching a time when the water delivery system will fail. Southern California will turn on the tap and sand will come out, fish species once common in the delta will be gone along with the livelihoods they spawned. No one is going to like what needs to be done, not the Central Valley farmers, not the environmentalists, not the thirsty cities and certainly not the many and varied species of wildlife that depend upon a healthy Delta habitat. The sooner we concede we are ALL going to take a hit on this one and start cooperating to FIX what we can the better. Its gonna be a (costly and dry) bumpy ride.

Higher prices will provide the right incentives.