Planning for water supply and for land use in agricultural areas has taken on new significance with enhanced public environmental awareness, new anti-pollution legislation, high costs of construction and energy, and increased economic opportunities for specialized agricultural commodities.

Among early participants in these studies were L.T. Wallace, Extension Economist, U.C., Berkeley, and Thomas E. Dickinson, Agricultural Economist, U.C. Davis. Interns participating in various phases were A.T. Nakazawa, Nancy Leman, Sanford Miller, Darryl Joyner, and Jeffery Newton.