Officials take water shortage seriously

Guest opinion



It has come to my attention that Congressman Devin Nunes issued a press release indicating Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has failed to respond to the water crisis in California. Based on my interaction with the governor’s office and his commitment to the water community in California, I can say this is not the case.

Over the last three years the governor’s office has worked diligently to address the water supply issues in California on top of dealing with a very difficult budget crisis and global economic downturn, complicating the state’s ability to respond.

In 2006 the governor established a Blue Ribbon Task Force to develop a long-term vision for sustainability and management of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

In July 2007 the governor directed the Department of Water Resources to take immediate action to improve conditions in the delta.

In July 2008 the governor and Sen. Dianne Feinstein proposed a compromised plan to the legislature to update California’s water system that would put the state on the path toward restoring the delta, expanding water supplies and promoting conservation efforts that will ensure a clean, reliable water supply for California.

Last November, the governor signed an agreement with the federal government, the state of Oregon and PacifiCare that established a path toward removing four dams along the Klamath River, which straddles the California/Oregon border.

In February the governor declared a state of emergency due to drought conditions statewide and ordered immediate action by all state government agencies to utilize their resources, implement a state emergency plan and provide assistance for people, communities and businesses impacted by the drought.

California recently sold $733 million in bonds to fund drought, flood control and water management projects and the state is preparing for another bond sale of $400 million for water and drought response in addressing the governor’s commitment to updating our state’s aging water infrastructure with a strong focus on conservation, environmental protection and increased storage.

Last month the governor met with President Obama in Washington, D.C. and requested an immediate allocation of $200 million in federal economic stimulus funds provided to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that would allow hundreds of water management projects to proceed immediately, including water conservation, groundwater storage, water recycling and others.

It is important for Congressman Nunes to understand that the delta is a resource shared by the state of California and the United States. In order to improve the longterm reliability of this important asset, the federal government must recognize its responsibility in assisting California to restore the delta in meeting the water needs of all Californians and the environment.


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