Summary: California suffered through years of drought, and implemented restrictions on water use. Then the rains came--a year ago--and the restrictions came off. Now the state appears headed for another drought, and there is talk of making water restrictions permanent. The state Water Resources Control Board hasn't gotten there yet, but plans are on the table. That has the attention of water users and people who work on their behalf. Christopher Neary is a water rights attorney in Northern California;
