Calif. Capitol Rally Urges Water Bond Approval
The Association of California Water Agencies, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and legislations recently called for swift action on a water bond package for the November ballot, according to an Aug. 13 press release.
Addressing a crowd of more than 1,000 farm workers and others who marched around the Capitol in support of a comprehensive water bond, Glen Peterson, president of the association, said there is too much at stake to delay action on a bond package this year.
"California is in the midst of a severe water crisis, and we need solutions today," Peterson said. "We need to invest in our water system so it can meet the needs of the environment and the economy. There is no single issue more important to California today and to our future generations."
Schwarzenegger and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein have proposed a $9.3 billion bond for the November ballot that would fund local resource development, Delta sustainability, and infrastructure improvements to address the state's deepening water crisis.
ACWA's Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the package, calling it the right mix of long-term investments in backbone water infrastructure and programs such as conservation, water recycling, and groundwater cleanup to improve local water supply reliability.