In 1986 the Water Management Act required state authorities to set “safe yield” limits that specify how much water can be pumped from river basins (“A move to save water sources,” Page A1, Nov. 29). After a quarter-century of pumping so much water that rivers dry up, they are finally getting around to it.

Unfortunately, the proposed limits are far higher than current withdrawals that are already stressing many river basins — almost double the current withdrawals in the Charles River basin, more than triple those in the Concord River basin, and six times higher than in the Parker River basin. Taking that much water would certainly not be safe for fish, or for businesses that rely on recreation or tourism.