Report warns water crisis looming in arid Southwest

[kurth]

Report warns water crisis looming in arid Southwest
By Patrick O'Driscoll, USA TODAY

DENVER — The fast-growing states of the arid Southwest must plan for more severe droughts because of a regional warming trend that shows no signs of dissipating, says a new assessment of the Colorado River's water supply.

The report released Wednesday by the National Research Council says agriculture, which uses 80% of the West's water, is the likeliest target for shifting water supplies to growing urban areas. But the council, an agency of the National Academy of Sciences, cautions that "the availability of agricultural water is finite."

Rising population "will inevitably result in increasingly costly, controversial and unavoidable trade-off choices" in sharing the Southwest's most precious natural resource, the report says.

The Colorado River Basin includes seven states: parts of California, the nation's biggest farm producer; Wyoming, and five of the 12 fastest-growing states: Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico...

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/gallery/2007/w070221_drought/flash.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/2007-02-21-southwest-droughts_x.htm

[marmar]

1. But yet, this is the fastest growing region of the country.....

America, and Americans, make little sense these days.

[oasis]

2. Democratic adminstations (governors and president) can work together

in a regional campaign of water conservation awareness and responsibility.

[Erika]

4. The last I read about Nevada was that it was clear

that the water would go to tourism over agriculture.

[oasis]

6. There's a dizzying building boom in North Las Vegas. (eom)

[Erika]

3. Mother nature showed the types of limited plants and animals

that could exist in the Southwest. Humans couldn't take the hint.

[Horse with no Name]

8. And Arizona is crawling with golf courses

I don't understand that one at all...not only is it sucking the literal life out of the water supply, it is also creating humidity in the valley.

[Erika]

9. Chandler use to have liveable temps

Until they started ag pursuits on it. I have also read for every additional 10,000 people the temps in AZ is raised by 1 point. That on top of global warming.

People have ignored mother nature at their own risk.

[PhilipShore]

5. In 2008 the Dems will win Colorado -- because of Global warming

provided also if my candidate runs.

[lonestarnot]

7. So now run out and build a few more fucking golf courses, hurry you bastards!

[madrchsod]

10. golly gee whiz kids-it`s a desert!

what do ya expect that it`s going to rain because ya moved there? somehow i can`t feel sorry

[Esra Star]

11. it wasn't called the "Arid Zone" for nothing. n/t