The chances are good that when you receive this magazine Sacramento will be getting one of its heavy winter storms. On such days, when leaf-clogged drains flood streets and power outages become a fact of life, it is hard to think of the lack of water as a major problem. The natural tendency is to think that California has too much water and not enough ways to get rid of it.

Such a viewpoint, however, runs contrary to the reality of life in the arid West. When it comes to water, we live in a region marked by scarcity, not plenty. And as millions of new residents come to California, most experts expect that fights over water among residential users, farmers, non-agricultural commercial users, and environmentalists will only increase.

This issue features articles by and about some of the local lawyers who are at the forefront in helping California deal with its water problems. To the extent that the legal system can help California find water solutions, these lawyers will be among the main problem-solvers.

I would like to thank the following people who either wrote or helped arrange for the water law articles in this issue to be written: John Bachman, George Basye, Madeline Doms, Nicole Granquist, Eric Robinson, Jon Rubin, Steven Saxton, Chris Sanders, Chris Scheuring, and Scott Shapiro.

I would also like to thank all of the others who have written articles or submitted photographs for this month’s magazine on subjects unrelated to water law. These contributors include: David Boyd, Shirley David, Bion Gregory, Phil Heller, Vicki Jacobs, Ken Rabiroff, Rick Sueyoshi, Donna Tamanaha, Robin Taylor, Angela Tillotson, Peg Carew Toledo, and Borden Webb.

I also must give a special thank you to Joan Stone. Over the past two-and-a-half years, I have had the privilege of working with Joan on this magazine. We have shared editing duties for the past year. With this issue, Joan has given up her editor position, although I will fortunately still benefit from her insight as a member of the Sacramento Lawyer’s Policy Committee.

Joan has done much to upgrade this magazine during the past several years. She has chosen interesting themes and arranged for high-quality photography. Joan’s strong connection to the Association (she is currently the SCBA’s First Vice President) has made this magazine a fine reflection of the SCBA. As editor, I can only hope to maintain the traditions she has established. Thank you, Joan.