On 18-Feb-2005, Scott Weiser wrote:

however, what a 50% reduction in agriculture in
California means to the nation as a whole, and to our needs for foodstuffs.

Before you fret about what that reduction would do to the population,
take a look at the rate at which Americans waste food. As well,
consider the volume of produce from California that is exported (at
a cost to the US taxpayer, due to subsidies to allow CA to compete
with 3rd world countries on price).

California's agricultural production could be reduced considerably
with no negative effect on Americans, but that would free up water
for other uses.

And then there's the issue of what happens to the ag lands once the
production is stopped.

Let the desert go back to desert.

Mike