A devious mind would suggest that by denying the water to begin with it can be later used to get political support on other matters. how the water is distributed is a CA matter to a great degree. Whether it is used to support the environment or local farmers is a value decision of the people. Basically the US GOVT has made a value decision that has nothing to do with CA but to force an unpopular HC bill on the American people. This is to a great degree how water policy has been done in this country since it was created. politicians using water to buy votes on totally unrelated matters.