Sure, I'm not saying they don't, but it isn't a critical crop for day to day life, biologically speaking. No one is going to die for not eating almonds.
Is it economically important? For sure.
Is it critical for living? No.
Is it economically important? For sure.
Is it critical for living? No.
Agricultural users should be free to pay market rates for their water like everyone else. They will absolutely still be able to make a profit growing almonds since they basically own the market.
The problem, as others said, is that their cost is artificially low as they don't pay market rate for water.