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r A Conversation with i~larc Reisner In the never-ending dialogue over California water, one outside voice has generated great controversy, notoriety and press coverage in recent months. Author Marc Reisner acknowledges that his ideas are not new, that they have floated around in academic circles for years. But their recent popularity is due in part to the fact that Reisner has articulated, packaged and published his argument at a time of extended drought, renewed environmental activism and unprecedented urban popula- tion growth in the West. With agriculture consuming about 80 percent of developed water in California (equal 10 about 30 percent of the state's average annual runoff), more and more, cities are looking at agriculture to meet their water needs. In his two books, Cadillac Desert, published in 1986. and Owrtapped Oasis, published last year, Reisner chronicles the development of water in the West through the dam-building era to recent times, when large dam construction has virtually halted. Reisner argues that increasing demands for water by environmentalists and urban dwellers can be met by using water that is now being used to irrigate some crops. In particular, Reisner targets four crops which he deems to be of relatively low value in relation to their water use--cotton, rice, alfalfa and irrigated pasture. In Overtapped Oasis, Reisner maintains that these four crops use enough water in California to support 70 million people. By reducing marginally productive acreage devoted to these crops and easing the legal and institutional restrictions which inhibit water transfers, he argues, we could begin.to solve California's water supply problems through reallocation. In the agriculture industry, however, there is great skepticism. "Reisner's argument is compelling enough, but it's based on a false premise," said Steve Hall, executive director of the California Fann Water Coalition. "It's based on the very simplistic notion that if you curtail water use in one area it'll be available elsewhere. With some limited exceptions, that's just not true." Reisner's argument could be construed as being pro-growth and is favorably viewed by the building industry. But, according to Corey Brown, general counsel for the Planning and Conservation League, the environmental community doesn't view Reisner in that light. "Growth and water are really separate issues," Brown said. "Reisner has shQwn that we can meet our growth needs without new water development. But, whether California should grow is a different issue. What's clear is that over the next decade, water for urban growth will come from conservation, reclamation and transfers. Reisner has shown that this can occur without economic disaster. He has redefined the water debate. " Reisner's writings have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times and other California publications, but rarely do the articles allow for discussion of his controversial ideas. With this interview, conducted by Rita Schmidt Sudman. executive director of the Water Education Foundation, and the following background article, the Foundation hopes to broaden the discussion and provide a response by the agriculture industry. 1