The Owens Valley was not a highly productive agricultural area prior to the water transfer. Yes, there was agriculture in the area, but the growing season was short and productivity was low.
I'm sure there's an argument regarding how equitable the water transfer was when it was done, but it was one of those things that would probably have happened eventually anyway. The health issues that occurred after Owens Lake dried up are a shame, but shortsightedness seems to be a typical human condition most of the time.
Equitable transfers of water rights are not uncommon, and will probably become more and more common.
The Eastern Sierra is what it is.
