I watched an excellent documentary about five or six years ago, wish I could remember the name, about how the multi-millionaire from The Franklin Mint bought up huge tracts of land in Kern County (I think) for almond orchards, then colluded with the State Water Board for them to sign over the water rights. So, California builds the infrastructure to recharge the aquifer below the orchards, then the land owners get to sell the water back to the State at ridiculous prices.
It caused a land-speculation rush in that county, from people who basically have no interest in agriculture just so they can participate in this water scam. All they have to do is plant a few trees or grape vines.
I watched an excellent documentary about five or six years ago, wish I could remember the name, about how the multi-millionaire from The Franklin Mint bought up huge tracts of land in Kern County (I think) for almond orchards, then colluded with the State Water Board for them to sign over the water rights. So, California builds the infrastructure to recharge the aquifer below the orchards, then the land owners get to sell the water back to the State at ridiculous prices.
It caused a land-speculation rush in that county, from people who basically have no interest in agriculture just so they can participate in this water scam. All they have to do is plant a few trees or grape vines.