California IN BRIEF : BAKERSFIELD : Drought Impact May Be Exaggerated

The drought’s impact on Kern County’s economy may be less than previously thought, a report issued by the county said. The five-year drought has hurt some farming interests and seasonal workers, but estimates that the toll could reach $4.2 billion may be far-fetched, said the report requested by the county Board of Supervisors. Some growers were able to increase plantings of non-permanent crops such as carrots, potatoes and melons to make up for about 100,000 acres that were not planted elsewhere. In addition, heavy March rains and tapping of underground water supplies allowed many farmers to cultivate fields despite drastic cuts in state water supplies.