California’s water crisis could cost the state billions of dollars each year if not resolved

New economic data from California shows the state could face anywhere from $3-14 billion in water losses each year if no action is taken.
California has faced water supply challenges for years and is expected to shrink by 12-25% by 2050.

The data collected by researchers at UC Davis and UC Merced shows that without coordinated action, nearly three million acres of California farmland could be taken out of production.
That would mean a loss of 67,000 jobs, severely impacting rural communities.

The research supports the state’s Senate Bill 72, which proposes California’s first-ever water supply target to develop 9 million acre-feet of new water by 2040.

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The action follows the March 13 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which upheld a district court decision denying a preliminary injunction that sought to halt the exchange.