Will water and sand be the next oil?

[oosik]

Two things I don't have to worry about here. I own the land under my lake AND the water IN my lake. AND I've been here 36+ years and NEVER EVEN ONCE has it EVER rained hard enough to cause damage(erosion) to the land. Just the darn bloody opposite - we are classified as semi-arid - and only because we, just barely, get sufficient rain to make it to that classification. Otherwise, we would be classified "bone dry as a popcorn fart - dry".

 

[California]

I will never view the govt owns the rain.

I ran into a similar principle regarding my mining claim high in the Sierras. The Federal Government has had jurisdiction over navigable waterways since the beginning. More recently they assert jurisdiction over even the smallest streams, like where we were. Spring snow runoff runs heavy enough to drown you but by late summer you can cross dry, hopping boulders. No way was that ever navigable.

But due to the 'navigable, and all tributaries' principle, and I think also water quality standards, we had to operate under tight constraints to not muddy the water.

Sounds like that principle has now been extended to ALL water that eventually runs down to a 'navigable stream'. Bah.

 

[mopardude318]

And I'd bet we've all worked harder that he has. How many acres of field has he worked? Cord of word has he split? Feet of pipe has he laid? Or wire has he strung on utility poles?

Then you have the likes of Bezos and Jack Ma who people just keep throwing money at hand over foot for no particular reason.

One week of income from these guys, just one measily week could solve the problems of many small towns they helped to destroy.

Ya know, I think of this statement OFTEN when I think of the "Hollywood Elites" actors, movie stars, singers, sports figures Etc. Etc. Sure they have millions and millions, but do they have any actual "skills"? Can they operate a tractor and grade a road? farm? stick frame a decent structure out of lumber? sew? operate a piece of equipment for a day job in a union? lol. They sure can work out and look good, and some even do have skill like being a pilot, but...I dunno. they cant be the ones that make the world go around.

 

[CalG]

Two things I don't have to worry about here. I own the land under my lake AND the water IN my lake. AND I've been here 36+ years and NEVER EVEN ONCE has it EVER rained hard enough to cause damage(erosion) to the land. Just the darn bloody opposite - we are classified as semi-arid - and only because we, just barely, get sufficient rain to make it to that classification. Otherwise, we would be classified "bone dry as a popcorn fart - dry".

Just a friendly reality check.

You don't own your land, the lal or the water in it.

Just stop paying property taxes and see who is the owner.

But it's a nice feeling to think that we are in control and stuff is ours.

 

[oosik]

CalG - you got me there. However - as much as possible - my ownership of this 80 acres is pretty all inclusive. And as luck would have it - about 14 years ago I did have a "run in" with the tax man. The trust fund that is set up to automatically pay the annual property taxes developed a glitch. Bottom line - it took a couple trips into the "big city" to get matters set straight again. Been a smooth sail ever since.

 

[Gary Fowler]

While there never will be a worldwide shortage of water, the day is going to come when clean water is more valuable than oil.

That day has come many years ago. Don't believe me, just price a bottle of water, over $1 for the cheapest brand per quart, that is over $4 per gallon without sales tax (no road tax either like gasoline). In my town, gasoline is $2.55 per gallon ($.63 per quart) including tax. Water has been selling for more than gasoline for many years now.
Sure it is cheaper by the gallon from your neighborhood water system, but that price has been rising steadily for years also.

 

[oosik]

You are sooo right there, Gary. Talk to a farmer from Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa - other than their miserable political situation - lack of ANY KIND of water is one of their major concerns.

People around this good earth are DYING due to lack of potable water.

 

[MossRoad]

Ya know, I think of this statement OFTEN when I think of the "Hollywood Elites" actors, movie stars, singers, sports figures Etc. Etc. Sure they have millions and millions, but do they have any actual "skills"? Can they operate a tractor and grade a road? farm? stick frame a decent structure out of lumber? sew? operate a piece of equipment for a day job in a union? lol. They sure can work out and look good, and some even do have skill like being a pilot, but...I dunno. they cant be the ones that make the world go around.

Ahh, but a good actor or singer can tell a story and make you laugh or cry and think about stuff. I guess a plumber or electrician can make you cry, too, but it's just not the same.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Just a friendly reality check.

You don't own your land, the lal or the water in it.

Just stop paying property taxes and see who is the owner.

But it's a nice feeling to think that we are in control and stuff is ours.

Excellent point... It's mine as long as I pay the gubment to agree it's mine...

 

[newbury]

Around here you can't swing a cat without hitting a natural spring. Once of the reasons I moved here.

(That post pops up as the top of the page in page 2.)

Around here you can't swing a cat without getting hit by an animal cruelty lawsuit.