'Not Suffering Because Of Acts Of God, We're Suffering From Acts Of Governance': Mcclintock Unloads

Ladies and gentlemen, history has an uncanny way of reflecting our present challenges. Today, I invite you to take a journey with me, back to a conversation that unfolded in an era vastly different from our own. An exchange between Mr. McClintock and an esteemed panel, where the topic was as relevant then as it is now – water management and the conundrum of dams.

The Looming Floods and Unbuilt Reservoirs

Mr. McClintock started our journey with a pressing concern about potential flooding due to Millerton Lake's incapacity to contain runoff. The question at hand – would the construction of Temperance Flat have eased this concern? The answer, my friends, is a resounding "yes."

You see, Temperance Flat, with its promise of a million acre-feet of water storage, could have been the savior in times of plenty and drought. In a world where climate change is our daily reality, the need for such reservoirs has never been more evident.

A Decade of Droughts and Record Rainfall

Our tale takes a twist, as it's revealed that twice in a decade, historic droughts gripped the land, followed by record rainfall. The consequence? Desiccated farmlands, displaced farm workers, and a bewildering sight – floodgates wide open, pouring precious water into the unforgiving ocean.

Now, we stand at the precipice of wisdom and wonder – what is nature trying to convey with these meteorological rollercoasters? Perhaps, it's a reminder that we must act decisively and collaboratively.

A Bridge to the Past: Burns Porter Act

Our narrative takes us back to 1959 when the California legislature passed the Burns Porter Act. This landmark legislation infused 1.75 billion dollars into water infrastructure. Fast forward to today, that amount has ballooned to a whopping 17 billion dollars. What did the preceding generation achieve with this generous investment?

They built ten storage dams, eleven ancillary dams, and a water supply system that stores 7 million acre-feet of water. Not to mention the production of 3,000 megawatts of clean, cheap electricity. The collective foresight and action of the past are awe-inspiring.

Promises, Promises: The Modern Conundrum

Now, it's our turn to face the music. Since 2000, California's voters have approved a staggering 27 billion dollars in water Bond measures. The rhetoric was promising – enhanced water supply. But as we stand in the present, what have we received for this immense investment? Promises, my friends. Promises.

We can't help but ask – what's holding us back? What's keeping us from emulating the feats of the past generation?

Regulatory Hurdles: A Self-Inflicted Drought

The answer, in a word, is "regulations." We've become our own worst enemy, erecting barriers where once there were none. The famous Sites Reservoir project, conceived in the 1950s, is still entangled in the bureaucratic maze. The question arises – should we not streamline the dam construction process, mandate concurrent permitting, and set time limits?

Sports stadiums, for all their glory, sprout up at an astonishing speed. But the structures that could define our future – the dams – linger in limbo.

Abundance vs. Scarcity: The Food for Thought

Let's veer into a parallel debate - agricultural water. We've all heard about the astronomical water requirements for everyday items. A cheeseburger? 700 gallons of water. A pair of jeans? A whopping 1,500 gallons.

Now, consider this – isn't our discussion essentially one about abundance versus scarcity, prosperity versus poverty for our future generations? When something is scarce, it becomes expensive. When it's plentiful, it's cheap. Are we not sabotaging our own prosperity with these environmental laws?

A Call to Action: Reconnecting with Our Roots

In the grand tapestry of time, we've stumbled upon a truth that resonates through the ages. Our ancestors came to this golden state in search of better futures, and they found them. But we, my friends, stand at a crossroads. Our choices, or lack thereof, are defining our future.

Forestry, too, plays a part in this intricate web. Overgrown trees consume precious water, limiting its flow to our valleys. Environmental concerns, often well-intentioned, have created unintended consequences.

In conclusion, the rivers of our past actions have converged into a lake of contemplation. We must act, as the past generation did, to preserve our future. We must build the dams, cut through the red tape, and ensure that abundance, not scarcity, defines the California of tomorrow.

It's not just a question of food and water; it's a question of prosperity and legacy. The choice is ours, and it's a choice that will echo through the annals of history.