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Funding challenges still loom for California’s landmark water compromise

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 7, 2009 at 7:46 am

From the Silicon Valley Mercury News:

“When lawmakers celebrated the end of California’s water squabbles last month, they left unanswered an issue certain to bedevil their hard-fought compromise: money.

Permanent funding for the signature policy initiatives in the deal— from a panel created to govern the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to new efforts to crack down on water theft — have yet to be identified. But one likely source is fees levied against water districts, which could lead to higher rates for users.

There also have been whispers that lawmakers — sensitive to “pork” claims and the state’s dismal debt picture— might try to shrink the $11.14 billion bond approved as part of the deal, a bid to help it win voter support next November.

Both issues reflect the loose ends and lingering discomfort in the wake of the landmark deal, meant to stabilize the state’s water supply and rescue the fragile delta after decades of futility. Together, they raise questions about whether the package will wind up as far-reaching as billed.

“Funding has always been the most difficult part of setting water policy,” said Catherine Freeman of the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office. “Legislators are beginning to understand how much more work there is to be done.” … “

Read more from the Silicon Valley Mercury News by clicking here.

December 7, 2009 · Filed Under Uncategorized

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