Hundreds of people from the Central Valley travelled to Sacramento Thursday to urge Gov. Jerry Brown to declare a drought.
At the steps of the Capitol building, people chanted "water" and held signs that say "No Water = No Jobs."
Huron field worker Juan Martinez, who attended the rally, says no water for crops means fields where he works will be unplanted, putting his job at risk.
"Right now, it's okay, we're managing. But soon, I'm going to have to find another job. Not just me, everybody," Martinez says.
The California Department of Water Resources announced a 5 percent initial water allocation for farmers. If dry conditions persist, that water allocation could be reduced to nothing-- creating a loss of $1.4 billion to the state's economy, according to Assemblymember Henry T. Perea (D-Fresno).
A drought declaration would help ease the regulations on the federally protected Delta and help move more water south.
It wasn't only farmers and field workers who took their message to the steps of the Capitol. With a caravan of buses making the trip, concerned citizens also echoed the message.
"I just would like the politicians to understand that we are people, and I think we are the new endangered species," says Linda Kyle, in reference to the endangered species that are federally protected in the Delta. "I think they are not listening to us."
Those rallying are also asking the governor to focus on a water bond that will help prevent future problems "and a water bond that meets the needs of every Californian across the state. A water bond that includes surface storage" to catch rainfall, Perea says.
During his visit to Fresno Monday, Brown said a drought declaration is coming, but did not commit to when he'll make the declaration.