It is good to see executive leadership from the state, though legislative leadership is still stuck in neutral, but one hopes wisdom prevails and the most effective method of supplementing conservation and groundwater banking—increasing surface water storage behind the construction of new dams—becomes state water policy again.
Governor unveils water plan
His $9 billion proposal runs counter to his blue ribbon panel's first draft.
By Matt Weiser - Bee Staff WriterPublished 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday renewed his plan to build new dams and a Delta canal to solve California's water woes, even as his own blue ribbon water panel suggests a decidedly different approach.
The governor called a special session of the Legislature, now under way, to deal with California's water crisis. He hopes to reach a deal on a bond measure in time for the Feb. 5 ballot.
The crisis was prompted by declining fish species and the threat of a disaster in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. An Aug. 31 federal court ruling also may require water diversions from the Delta to be slashed up to 37 percent starting in December. This could mean rationing for 23 million Californians who get water from the Delta.
Schwarzenegger's $9 billion plan, presented Tuesday, includes many features in a proposal he offered earlier this year. It includes $600 million in immediate spending to address environmental problems in the Delta.
But the plan's primary focus is new hardware: $5.1 billion for new dams, and up to $1.9 billion for a canal to move Sacramento River water safely around or through the Delta.
