The effects of converting 20 percent of the state's rangeland, most of it to almonds and grapes irrigated by large pumps, will be to accelerate the overdraft of groundwater while worsening the quality of the goundwater. It will also reduce roughly 20 percent of the habitat for many of the endangered species associated with rangeland. Nor will most of these "ag-to-ag" conversions be discovered by state and federal agencies supposed to be charged with enforcing environmental laws and regulations.
As poor a tool as the Williamson Act was for conserving farmland, it was better than any other tool. That Jerry Brown hasn't restored the state's subvention while simultaneously advocating an above or below ground Delta peripheral canal, indicates that the Moonbeam of Youth has become a senile technocrat.

Badlands Journal editorial board

10-29-12

Capital Press

UC study: Ranchers could sell out without Williamson Act…Tim Hearden

http://www.capitalpress.com/content/TH-williamson-act-w-infobox-102912

DAVIS, Calif. - The loss of a key property tax break could force many California rangeland owners to sell off part or all of their land, a university study asserts.

State budget cuts have drastically reduced funding for the Williamson Act, which provides tax relief for landowners who agree to keep their land in agriculture for an extended period.