CALIFORNIA has a long history of trying to tear itself apart. Since it joined the Union in 1850, there have been dozens of proposals to break up the state. The latest, put forward by technology investor Tim Draper, envisages .
Nobody is giving the plan much chance. But if Draper wins enough backers to force a vote, California may end up debating an issue that really does have the potential to destroy the Golden State: water.
Southern California depends heavily on water from further north. This arrangement has served the state well, but is now unsustainable (see 鈥�California鈥檚 Katrina? The great delta dilemma鈥�).
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Tensions are building over plans to build pipelines to guarantee the south鈥檚 water supply, with residents further north resentful of 鈥渢heir鈥� water being taken away and fearful of being bled dry themselves.
These people may find the six-states plan appealing. As residents of newly created North and Central California, they would have much more control over their water. Prospective citizens of West and South California are likely to be less enamoured.
It is probably not what Draper had in mind when he hatched his plan. But if it raises the profile of California鈥檚 water woes, his idea will have achieved something.
This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淐alifornia鈥檚 watery grave鈥�
