MARC REISNER

If surface water can be compared with interest income, and non-renewable groundwater with capital, then much of the West was living mainly on interest income. California was milking interest and capital in about equal proportion. The plains states, however, were devouring capital as a gang of spendthrift heirs might squander a great capitalist's fortune.

You can’t trust cost-benefit analyses… agencies have a history of fudging their studies to make proposed projects to look better, understating the costs and overstating the benefits.

Right from the start [1902] every Senator … wanted a project in his state. Every representative wanted one in his district. They didn’t care whether they made economic sense or not.

Water flows uphill towards money.

I believe that anyone who flies in an airplane and doesn't spend most of his time looking out the window wastes his money.

You can’t trust cost-benefit analyses… agencies have a history of fudging their studies to make proposed projects to look better, understating the costs and overstating the benefits.

Right from the start [1902] every Senator … wanted a project in his state. Every representative wanted one in his district. They didn’t care whether they made economic sense or not.

Water flows uphill towards money.

If surface water can be compared with interest income, and non-renewable groundwater with capital, then much of the West was living mainly on interest income. California was milking interest and capital in about equal proportion. The plains states, however, were devouring capital as a gang of spendthrift heirs might squander a great capitalist's fortune.

I believe that anyone who flies in an airplane and doesn't spend most of his time looking out the window wastes his money.