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Loren Faulkner

Governor Declares Drought—Wants $11.9 Billion Water Bond
June 6, 2008

Governor Schwarzenegger declared California’s drought official, this week. (www.gov.ca.gov) It was the first time since Gov. Pete Wilson declared the same thing in 1991.

But the seriousness of water shortage is worsened this time around by the protection of the delta smelt in Northern California. Environmentalists claimed that the small fish are being disrupted by large pumps that send water into delivery systems to Southern California. Last year, a federal judge ordered a 30-percent water allotment south to be stopped until life for the fish can be made better.

This has caused many water districts to tap into their emergency supplies for several months, especially in Southern California. A press release from Metropolitan Water District (MWD) sums up that  problem:

“As a short-term, stopgap measure, Metropolitan is drawing on its significant reserve supplies. But with the worsening problems in the Delta, there is no guarantee Southern California can replenish reserve supplies whenever this drought cycle ends. It is vital to stretch our reserve supplies for as long as possible.“  MWD supplies water to 18 million people in Southern California.

The Governor’s office on the day of declaring the drought, pointed out that Schwarzenegger’s 2008-09 budget has proposed an:

 $11.9 billion water bond for water management investments that will address population growth, climate change, water supply reliability and environmental needs. Specifically, the bond includes:

--Water Storage: $3.5 billion dedicated to the development of additional storage. 

--Delta Sustainability: $2.4 billion to help implement a sustainable resource management plan for the Delta.

--Water Resources Stewardship: $1.1 billion to implement river restoration projects.

--Water Conservation: $3.1 billion to increase water use efficiency.

--Water Quality Improvement: $1.1 billion for efforts to reduce the contamination of groundwater.

--Other Critical Water Projects: $700 million for water recycling, hillside restoration for areas devastated by fire and removal of fish barriers on key rivers and streams. “

Judicial orders, skyrocketing fuel prices, housing slump, a $16 billion state budget deficit, CARB off-road diesel rules, etc.—it reminds me of the words of humorist Mark Twain who said, “Life is just one darn thing after another!” Well said, Mark. California is becoming the poster child for that statement.

Posted by Loren Faulkner on June 6, 2008 | Comments (2)