[Haiku Guy]

In California, farmers have difficulty gaining additional irrigation because many environmentalists are concerned that an increase in water usage will affect the habitat of the 2-3 inch Delta Smelt. For crying out loud, we’re halting business for a tiny fish?

You're missing the point, Amy...

The farmers are not asking for additional irrigation. They are asking to continue their historcally consistent levels of irrigation, but the government has taken away the water, destroying existing and thriving farms, in order to increase water flow in the Sacramento Delta.

And it isn't even about saving the Delta Smelt. The fish survived the previous levels of irrigation, and would survive if those levels were resumed. But enironmentalists who are opposed to any profitable use of natural resources have found a way to abuse the Endangered Species Act to prevent the use of this water. This is just the latest tactic in the water wars that have been going on in California for the last fifty years.

If the Delta Smelt were really engangered, they might have a point. But it is not.

[rlmorel]

"...But environmentalists who are opposed to any profitable use of natural resources have found a way to abuse the Endangered Species Act to prevent the use of this water..."

The heart of the matter. Well intentioned (and that is being extremely generous) legislation folded, spindled and mutilated to suit the needs of people who think people in general, and Americans in particular are vermin who must be destroyed to protect precious Gaia.

A cautionary tale with any legislation where liberals have a hand in how it is enforced or carried out.