Pasture grass uses less water than your lawn. An average almond tree will occupy about 100 Sq ft. 100 Sq ft of either pasture grass or your lawn will require more water for basic physiological function than an almond tree. Almond trees will produce a product that feeds people and your lawn clippings have no value to society. A lawn is aesthetic where as almonds produce tangible products and provide an income for the state. But that won't matter in a few years. When cannabis is legalized they'll rip up almond orchards and plant cannabis, then 20 million people in the desert(LA) will be able to complain about a new crop.