Sam Farr: “Because this is not a debate about farming versus the environment. This is a debate about economics versus economics. It…”

“Because this is not a debate about farming versus the environment. This is a debate about economics versus economics. It is about coastal economics, where the majority of the population of the people in California live, versus interior economics. It is an issue that cries out for a solution to both parties. There is not a win-win here. Without this amendment, you have a win-lose. You have the entire tourism industry which is dependent on where this stream comes into the ocean which is dependent on that fish coming into the stream. There is an economic survival, both in the tourism and the fisherman there versus the farmers. Alfalfa is one of the most water-intensive crops that we grow in the United States. Certainly the farmers through best management practices can do with less water. We do that in our area all the time. We are always struggling to have it. What this problem cries out for is a solution for a win-win. In order to do that, somebody has to give up something.”