Dams are an important resource for agricultural and public water leaders who understand the impact global warming, regardless of how it is caused, will have on our ability to store and control water from the Sierras.
Governor's $6 billion water plan is welcomed by farmers, water officials
Bob Krauter
Capital Press California Editor
SACRAMENTO - California farm and water groups are pleased with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's resolution for 2007 to push a $6 billion water works plan that includes two new reservoirs. Schwarzenegger revealed a $29.4 billion bond package Tuesday during his state of the state address.
"We are a big state and we have big needs," Schwarzenegger said. "And we have made a big down payment. But the job is not finished."
The governor successfully championed a massive $37.3 billion infrastructure plan on the November ballot to improve roads, schools and flood control. Now he wants voters to approve $4.5 billion for water storage by building the Temperance Flat Reservoir on the San Joaquin River near Fresno and the Sites Reservoir, about 60 miles north of Sacramento, would divert water from the Sacramento River.
Louie Brown Jr., partner in the Sacramento firm of Kahn, Soares and Conway, welcomed the governor's emphasis on water storage.
"He is making it out to be the part of the infrastructure debate that was left on the table," Brown said. "If you are really going to move forward and rebuild California like he has been talking about, you can't make all of the improvements that the voters have said they want to make without at least addressing the water issue."
Two bonds on the 2008 ballot would pay for the reservoirs, with $2 billion to be repaid by contractors who would use the water. Another $2 billion would be funded by taxpayers for the dams, while $500 million would go to groundwater storage.
Barry Bedwell, president of the California Grape and Tree Fruit League, said the plan recognizes long overdue action to alleviate pressure on the state's water supplies from a growing population.
"When you look at the growth of the population and its needs -- not only from agriculture but for the citizens of the state, it is logical to say that we need to look at all of the alternatives -- surface water storage as well as conservation and underground water storage," Bedwell said. "The governor, in particular, has identified surface water storage and I think that is good news for everybody in the state."
Lester Snow, the director of the state Department of Water Resources, suggested that additional storage is needed to address concerns about climate change. Snow said the state's snowpack could decrease by 25 percent by 2050 and that more reservoirs are needed to boost supply.
"The issue is securing our water future," Snow said in reaction to Schwarzenegger's plan. "We hope to have a genuine discussion. The runoff pattern isn't going to be different in the future. It's different now."
Bedwell said climate change concerns add another reason to pursue new storage.
"I have heard that there could be between 4 and 5 million acre-feet per year lost if we don't have adequate storage to capture that runoff," Bedwell said. "It really brings new dimension to the issue."
Sarah Woolf, spokesperson for Westlands Water District in Fresno, said it has been more than 30 years since the last major water development project was built.
