Battle over water rights for farmers - Research Paper Example

Battle over Water Rights for Farmers Battle over Water Rights for Farmers Introduction Green (2007) argues that water is one of the most important natural resources in the world that people cannot do without. Farmers, for instance depend on water derived from rivers and lakes for farming. Nevertheless, the sources of water from all over the world have been threatened due to human population pressure and other human activities that have led to the destruction of sources. The destruction has contributed to a serious environmental problems being witnessed in the world today, which led to the battle over water rights for farmers.

This paper explores the history of battle over water rights for farmers. The origin of battle over water rights dates back to the late 19th century that saw Los Angles city witness high growth leading to shortage of water. This prompted Fred Eaton, the then mayor of Los angles to propose a directive requiring that water be diverted from Owens Valley to the city of Los Angeles via aqueduct. This move went against the wishes of the Los Angels’ farmers and environmentalists that strongly opposed the move (Libecap, 2007).

Despite the opposition, the Los Angeles authority managed to divert much water from the Valley thereby making agriculture hard since for lack of enough water for irrigation. This caused an outrage prompting farmers to destroy the constructed aqueducts. However, the Los Angeles won the fight and restored the water flow, which continued until the bottom of lake Owens became completely dry by 1926. The water over water rights continued between farmers and Los Angeles that later led to the farmers obtaining their water rights (Sauder, 1994).

As the population of Los Angeles continued growing, more water diverted tributaries leading to Mono Lake, an important home of migrating birds. This saw water levels in the lake recede threatening the lives of birds propping environmentalists led by Mono Lake Committee and David Gaines to seek for litigation. The environmentalist emerged victories when Los Angeles was ordered to cease diverting water from the lake. This has seen the water levels rise once again (Hart, 1996). ConclusionThe resolutions reached regarding the battle over water rights were a good move since it enables the farmers to get back the water for agricultural purposes.

In addition, the restoration of Mono lake was also a victory for the environmentalists as far as conservation of birds and natural resources is concerned. ReferencesGreen, D. (2007). Managing water: avoiding crisis in California. University of California Press. p. 34.Hart, J. (1996). Storm over Mono: the Mono Lake battle and the California water future. University of California Press.Libecap, G.D. (2007). Owens Valley Revisited: A Reassessment of the Wests First Great Water Transfer. Stanford University Press.Sauder, R. A. (1994). The Lost Frontier: Water Diversion in the Growth and Destruction of Owens Valley Agriculture.

Tucson: University of Arizona.