June17,2014
Legislators appear to be banking on several years of severe drought to wake up the California electorate enough to vote for a statewide water bond.The measure that has gained the most support is SB848 authored by Davis Senator Lois Wolk that reduces the existing bond price tag of $11.14 billion to $10.5 billion. That $11.14 billion water bond is already scheduled to go to the voters in November, but the mix of spending, key opposition and the price tag are pushing legislators to find a new bond measure to replace it.The League of Women Voters of California and Sierra Club California both oppose the current bond scheduled for the 2014 ballot.
Significantly for the San Joaquin Valley, the new downsized bond includes $3 billion for reservoirs and groundwater storage.The bond could help fund a new dam above Fresno at Temperance Flat. Recently the Sierra Club said SB848 may still be opposed by them because of lax of oversight over large reservoir projects like Temperance Flat.
It also includes $1 billion for groundwater cleanup in the Los Angeles area.Senator Wolk says the measure also includes $1.3 billion for the Sacramento and San Joaquin Delta.
Senate leader Darrell Steinberg linked the drought to the measure saying “As California’s antiquated water infrastructure struggles to weather the driest year on record each passing month makes clear the urgency to equip our state’s water system for the demands of the 21th century.”
“Senator Wolk’s proposal deftly navigates the elusive middle ground of California’s historical geographic and ideological differences over water policy, and meets the co-equal goals of enhancing our water supply while protecting the integrity of the system’s lynchpin of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This is a well-balanced proposal to benefit the entire state.”
Another supporter added,“We’ve rolled up our sleeves to develop a water bond that delivers on solutions to California’s water crisis,” said Senator De Leon. “This package addresses the needs of all Californians – whether they are urban or rural, live in the North or the South. SB 848 is an investment to ensure safe and reliable drinking water will be available to all residents for the long-term.”
Importantly, the new bond measure has the support of water agencies and environmental groups and local governments in the SF Bay Area.
Also included in the bond is $500 million pledged to disadvantaged communities in need of safe water, important in the Central Valley.
The last water bond was approved in 2005.
With time running out to place the matter on the November ballot the amended measure still needs the support of the Governor.Senator Wolk’s office says she is hopeful of a final Senate vote this week.
Yet to be heard from is Governor Jerry Brown is who might find it difficult to oppose the package supported by key allies. The timing this year could be improved for passage given the parched landscape out everyone’s front door. Add to that and the improved economy compared to the years when legislators feared financially strapped voters would turn down such a multi-billion dollar plan.
The amended bond provides $10.5 billion in funding for projects that will address California’s critical needs, including:
$500 million for urgent drinking water treatment for communities that do not currently have access to safe water;
$1 billion for critically needed groundwater treatment projects;
$400 million for wastewater treatment to protect California’s rivers, streams and beaches;
$900 million for community-supported habitat restoration in the Delta;
$400 million for Delta levee stability funding to reduce the risk of levee failure due to
flood, earthquake and sea-level rise;
$1.9 billion for drought response and regional water supply development, including water
recycling, desalination, and water conservation;
$3 billion for additional surface and groundwater storage;
$500 million for stormwater reuse and capture; and
$925 million for watershed restoration throughout California.