There's not much of an impediment to desalination right now, but there's always been a lack of will because control of resources is a big favorite of the Party of the Single Party State (the Demagogic Party).
agree. but desalinated seawater is still too expensive for most agriculure. after the cost of energy, the key to piping desalinated seawater from the west coast to desert inlands is to turn the salt and trace elements in the seawater into a profit center from a cost center.
I’ve seen plenty of work on that lately.