The Governor—along with Senator Dianne Feinstein—has been way ahead of the state legislators in drafting a realistic water strategy for California and one hopes their efforts will result in its eventual adoption.
An excerpt from the article about it.
“SACRAMENTO — A team of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's top advisers settled on a new water strategy yesterday, promoting a contentious mix of dams and a new canal to keep supplies flowing to Southern California while at the same time restoring the health of the fragile Sacramento delta.
“The price tag, according to some estimates, could be between $12 billion and $24 billion over the next 15 years.
Their proposal, outlined yesterday, does not stray far from Schwarzenegger's preferred approaches to attacking California's water problems.
“Schwarzenegger is expected to lay out his priorities as part of his annual State of the State address in early January.
“We've been consistent. Now we're putting the meat on the bones. Our sense is we're on track with what he's recommending,” said Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman, panel chairman.
“The ambitious plan also will be submitted to the legislative cauldron, where approval is required for many of the initiatives. Lawmakers, already paralyzed by gridlock over a massive state budget deficit, have wrestled with conflicts over dams and water-delivery systems for years.”
