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Dwindling water supplies: political leaders need to get moving on solutions, says commentary

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 31, 2008 at 12:29 pm

From the Western Farm Press, this commentary by Richard Comett, Communications Director of the Western Plant Health Association:

One has to wonder these days just exactly what it’s going to take to get more water storage in California — empty faucets?

This state of 38 million thirsty Californians continues to teeter on disaster as the likelihood of global warming and actual drought conditions promise to make water a more precious commodity than oil.

While Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger continue talks on a state water bond to be placed on this November’s ballot, legislative water solutions remain beyond arm’s reach as the problem mounts. Feinstein has long pushed for state money for dams, parting ways with other leading Democrats who have strongly opposed using public money to pay for surface water storage. To the senator’s credit, she has called for a “comprehensive solution” that would include money for dams and groundwater storage, as well as repairs to the deteriorating Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Meanwhile, while Feinstein and Schwarzenegger are busy crafting some kind of water bill for the fall, a proposal sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce and other business and farm groups is gathering names to place an $11.7 billion water bond initiative on the ballot. Among the water projects is $3.5 billion set aside for dams. The group has until July 14 to collect 433,971 valid signatures from voters.

I realize that it is hard to get worked up about water shortage concerns when the ground is saturated from the several recent storms we’ve had in California, but when I speak with my association members the subject of water storage remains a hot topic that members consider a top priority. And, of course, they too are scratching their heads over the stalled negotiations.

The commentary urges political leaders to get moving on solutions to the water crisis, before the effects become serious and more widespread. You can read the rest of this commentary posted on the Western Farm Press by clicking here.

March 31, 2008 · Filed Under Water Legislation