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The signs vie for space with political campaign placards at intersections along State Route 43 as a constant reminder to Central Valley residents. “No water, no jobs.” Trees along the roadside are yellowed and shrunken. In the distance a tractor creates a cloud of dust as it makes its way across a field. “Water=Jobs,” reads one billboard. “Tell Feinstein to pass [the] water bill,” reads another. The region’s congressman is among the most vulnerable incumbents in California.

Fresh stands of cottonwood and willow trees rising in the Colorado River Delta are evidence of the lasting environmental benefits an eight-week “pulse flow” of water deliveries to the area more than two years ago, according to a newly released report by U.S. and Mexican scientists. The study delivered to the International Boundary and Water Commission also showed an increase in the number and diversity of birds in the area following the unprecedented binational effort.

After five years of drought, no easy answers are left. Wells have run dry, lake levels have dropped to historic lows and last winter’s predicted storms were no-shows.That is, at least in the southern half of the state, leaving areas dependent on local rainfall some of the hardest hit. Those importing water, however, got a bit of reprieve as storms boosted supplies in Northern California. Just a few years ago, the opposite was true. Back then, Lake Casitas in the Ojai Valley was still relatively full.

A decade ago, environmentalists and the federal government agreed to revive a 150-mile stretch of California’s second-longest river, an ambitious effort aimed at allowing salmon again to swim up to the Sierra Nevada foothills to spawn. A major milestone is expected by the end of the month, when the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation says the stretch of the San Joaquin River will be flowing year-round for the first time in more than 60 years. But the goal of restoring native salmon remains far out of reach. The original plan was to complete the task in 2012.

On Election Day, November 8, area voters will determine the following: Which candidates will take possession of the contested open seats (Division 1 and Division 4) on the Fallbrook Public Utilities District board. Which candidates will seize the contested open seats (Division 2 and Division 5) on the Rainbow Municipal Water District board. Which candidates will occupy the two open seats on the Fallbrook Union High School District board. Which candidates will commandeer the two open seats on the Bonsall Unified School District board.