** ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS APRIL 28-29 ** A farm worker adjusts the irrigation system that borders the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge in Calipatria, Calif., Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006. The Salton Sea, California's largest lake was created in 1905 when floodwaters from the Colorado River burst past a series of dams and settled in the Salton Sink, more than 228 feet below sea level. Ever since, the lake has supported a complex ecosystem. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Letter of the Day: Scarcity of water

Scarcity of water

EDITOR: Irrigating food crops, including grapes, is unnecessary and unsustainable. Drought-resistant perennials can and did provide sustainable food sources for a millennium.

Many vintners feel non-irrigated vines produce a finer quality wine. It's time to view non-irrigated food production as the "new green."

Using wine as an example, a label bearing a "non-irrigated" designation would command a higher price and a unique place on grocery shelves for wines using non-irrigated fruit. The increased demand and price would offset the reduced tonnage that may result from changing growing methods. It would appeal to a public that is becoming aware of the scarcity of water.

EDMUND DECHANT

Santa Rosa

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