Turn your back on these people for a moment and they start selling the state down the river...selling the river, for that matter. John Devoe at WaterWatch (Not to be confused with Food & Water Watch. Both organizations are forces to be contended with by corporados. But they are not the same animal. Just saying...) points out that it is perfectly possible within the constraints of state law to sell all the water in any given river. Because rivers by their nature disregard state lines, property lines, public/private battle lines, and live by the laws of nature, they have managed to keep flowing. The elaborate balancing act that keeps fish, farmers, indigenous interests, hikers, bikers and plinkers spinning occupies much legislative time and substance. Environmental law has been rallied to the cause. But here's the thing: the root of the bioregion's many-spangled woes always seems to be population. Too many people exercising 'rights' that were designed a hundred years ago when there were fewer people and "Nature red in tooth and claw" kept the people honest. Today we have too many people equipped with all the 'rights' and none of the responsibilities associated with sustainable use and serious stewardship. The Bell Curve tolls for you...
- KBOO