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Commentary: Water reforms biggest step in years

Posted by: Maven on December 21, 2009 at 7:07 am

From the Marin Independent Journal, this commentary by Gary Bobker, program director at the Novato-based Bay Institute, and Barry Nelson, senior policy analyst at the Natural Resources Defense Council in San Francisco:

“One month ago, the legislature passed, and the Governor signed, a package of water reform bills. Since then, the new laws have inspired about as much misinformation as the health care debate in Congress.

The state administration hails the package as the long-awaited solution to California’s water wars. Others, like Lynn Axelrod (Marin Voice, Dec. 11), call it a sell-out to corporate agriculture.

In fact, it’s neither.

Instead, it’s the first major step in decades by the legislature to reform the outdated policies that have fueled the collapse of the Bay-Delta ecosystem, the closure of the state’s salmon fishery, and increased the vulnerability of water supplies to climate change. The new laws do not reform every part of water policy – a simple reflection of political reality.

But make no mistake; this package points state water policy in a new and positive direction. Its passage is a testament to the persistence and vision of Assemblyman Jared Huffman and a few other legislators.

What does the package do? … “

Read the rest of this commentary by clicking here.

December 21, 2009 · Filed Under Legislation - State & Federal

Comments

2 Responses to “Commentary: Water reforms biggest step in years”

  1. Tom Martin on December 21st, 2009 9:07 am

    If it’s so great then why don’t the water users pay for it rather than making it a general obligation bond? Once again the agriculture and corporate worlds rip us off. With Prop 13, we pay, they benefit!

    Will keep a slight open view because of Jared’s support. However, Wes Chesbro and Noreen Evans, say “No.” I respect their judgements as well.

  2. Gary Bobker on December 21st, 2009 11:48 am

    Everyone is confusing the policy reform package with the bond. The reforms are now law, whether the bond passes or not. Many who supported the reform bills – myself included – think it inappropriate to use a GO bond instead of user fees and a revenue bond to fund water programs. Go ahead and vote no – but don’t trash the policy reforms because you don’t like the bond. They are not the same, and not linked (other than the governor threatening to veto any bills unless he got a bond to send to the voters).

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