Life's a web, mate. The water diversion restrictions are not about the smelt, per se, but the ecosystem. Writing, "protect the environment" into law is too vague and would accomplish nothing. The line was drawn at the fish, it had to be drawn somewhere. If water becomes too scarce, too expensive as a result, then it's time for Man to adapt, to take the golden eggs at the rate the goose lays them, or come up with another goose.
I am a conservationist, a real one, who thinks we have a duty to preserve the planet and the country for future generations. I contrast that approach with some leftist drones who use the guise for more fascism. You don't have to tell me life's a web. You now how you know almost all the dems in CA are not really concerned about California? If they did... we would not be building out any more. We don't need more people. We are already crushing our resources. I just want to know how much water we are talking about on a percentage basis.