Some common sense from public leadership about the value dams can play in water supply, and flood control.
Governor to push for new dams despite long-standing resistance
By Michael Gardner
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
January 7, 2007
PEGGY PEATTIE / Union-Tribune
The state hasn't constructed a big reservoir, like the Metropolitan Water District-built Diamond Valley Lake near Temecula, since 1974.
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to draw on his popular campaign against global warming to promote something not so popular among environmentalists – building new dams in California.
His strategy will attempt to capitalize on fears that climatic disruptions linked to global warming could take a toll on fish and wildlife, as well as increase flood risks and reduce overall water supplies for a growing state.
To guard against those threats, Schwarzenegger will aggressively pursue at least one, and possibly two new reservoirs as part of his 2007 agenda. The combined price tag could be as much as $3.7 billion for the dams proposed near Sacramento and Fresno.
“Climate change is a big issue for the environmental community,” said Lester Snow, director of the state Department of Water Resources. “The challenge will be talking to them about how surface storage could be managed to ameliorate the impacts.”
