2

In the arid land along the Colorado River, use of the
river's water supply is strictly controlled: farms along
the river each have a limited allocation that they are
allowed to use for irrigation. But the trees that grow in
narrow strips along the river's banks also use its
water. Clearly, therefore, if farmers were to remove
those trees, more water would be available for crop
irrigation.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens
the argument?

(A) The trees along the river's banks shelter it from
the sun and wind, thereby greatly reducing the
amount of water lost through evaporation.

(B) Owners of farms along the river will probably not
undertake the expense of cutting down trees
along the banks unless they are granted a
greater allocation of water in return.

(C) Many of the tree species currently found along
the river's banks are specifi cally adapted to
growing in places where tree roots remain
constantly wet.

(D) The strip of land where trees grow along the
river's banks would not be suitable for growing
crops if the trees were removed.

(E) The distribution of water allocations for irrigation
is intended to prevent farms farther upstream
from using water needed by farms farther
downstream.