Fred Warchol: Supervisor McDaniel showing the way on water issue

The importance of oil in our lives can’t be denied. It’s even been referred to as liquid gold. Here in California, there’s a new and more important liquid gold – water. Our drought was brought on by the perfect storm: minimal rainfall, low mountain snowpack, increased farm use and growing urban thirst. Now, the Central Valley seems pitted against urban Los Angeles. The northern coastal areas are demanding their share and the Delta regions are thinking fish.

Focused leadership is needed.

At the local level, we are fortunate to have a county supervisor who demonstrates leadership and a deep commitment to addressing our water crisis. Atwater’s own Darren McDaniel, along with the others supervisors, have passed regulations to monitor and control local water. The newest member of the Board, McDaniel has gone further. As a Congressional aid, he worked on water solutions, specifically surface water, with stakeholders throughout Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Madera Counties. Here in Merced, he has hit the road running, meeting with farmers, ranchers and numerous residents who all have a vital interest in the new liquid gold.

With local leaders like McDaniel working hard on this issue, I am confident we will beat this challenge.

This story was originally published March 23, 2015 at 1:25 PM with the headline "Fred Warchol: Supervisor McDaniel showing the way on water issue."