Drowning In Lawyers – Opinions From E. Curtis Johnson

There’s no proof Mark Twain ever said, “Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over.“  Regardless of the origin the phase is truth in California’s central valley, which is neck deep in another water war.

Like much of the West, California is in the middle of a drought. Farmers are clamoring for water to produce a crop. One side of the dispute claims the federal government isn’t following an established water rights pecking order. The other side claims water rights dating to the 1800s. The issue is complicated. Think of it this way. You’re drying of thirst and standing in line for a drink of water. You’ll only get to wet your whistle if your lawyer is better than the other guy’s lawyer and the judge rules in your favor. It’s enough to give a fish, dry mouth!

My name is E. Curtis Johnson. Mark Twain could just as easily have said, “In California, understanding water rights law is enough to make you drink whiskey! Lots of whiskey!”