We're still in a drought emergency, people 

The recent lifting of our "drought emergency" designation by the California state government was alarmingly pre-mature and reckless. We've had one sort of decent rainy season after many years of almost nothing and all of a sudden we're in the clear?! Seriously?

Big Agriculture and powerful developers must have really put the screws to California politicians and regulators to get this bogus decision.

What will happen now when we have dry conditions for the next several years? Many meteorologists have warned against jumping to conclusions about this issue and have stated clearly that forecasts show that we are not out of the woods yet. It would take seven to 10 years of good rains to even get back to normal statewide for water reserves. But here we are, making a bad bet and hoping against hope that it will pay off.

Will big money and career politicos own up to it and take the blame if the bet goes bad? Don't hold your breath.

Robert McHale

San Luis Obispo