Epoch Times - California Got Flooded, But Farmers Can't Use The Water  #californiainsider
Aired: 2023-12-03
Duration: 00:54

[00:00:00]  For example, this water thing, it's a regulation problem.
[00:00:02]  As an example, I will tell you in Madera County, they have what's called the Eastside Bypass.
[00:00:06]  It's a flood control measure.
[00:00:07]  When too much water comes down out of the mountains, this bypass takes the water out so that it doesn't flood the towns.
[00:00:14]  Do you know that the farmers can't touch that water?
[00:00:16]  Why not?
[00:00:17]  Because the state board will only allow you to take water if they approve your permit.
[00:00:23]  It's going to cost you $6,000 to apply.
[00:00:25]  It takes you 8 to 10 months to get an answer back.
[00:00:28]  But the rain is already gone.
[00:00:30]  It's gone.
[00:00:30]  What farmers are doing today is they're putting pumps in the bypass and they're taking the water because it's what needs to happen.
[00:00:36]  Now, they're not getting credit.
[00:00:37]  So, you know, we talked about the penalties.
[00:00:39]  You're going to charge $500 an acre foot.
[00:00:41]  It costs between $2,000 and $3,000 a day just in diesel to run a pump.
[00:00:46]  They have two, three, four, five pumps going.
[00:00:47]  They're spending between $6,000 and $10,000 a day to do this.
[00:00:51]  Because they want to make sure they have the water.