Valley Farmers Propose Voluntary Water Cuts

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Farmers in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta system are willing to cut their water use, or leave a quarter of their crops unplanted, in an effort to avoid even tougher restrictions this summer.

It follows Governor Jerry Brown’s mandatory 25% reductions for cities, and virtually zero water allocations.

However, Mario Santoyo of the California Latino Water Coalition, doesn’t believe it’s a sustainable solution.
Santoyo tells KMJ, “They have lots of water that’s being used in the environment, most likely unnecessarily, during this time of crisis. They need to step back, and think about the people.”

If the government accepts the proposal, it could become the framework for farmers throughout the state.