Sacramento rally focuses on connection between water, jobs

From the Lake County News:

“Action now on water” was the message to legislators late last month when more than 1,600 members of the Association of California Water Agencies (AWCA) rallied under a blistering sun on Sacramento’s capitol steps.

Renowned television host Huell Howser led the rally, attended also by children of farm workers in the Central Valley community of Mendota where unemployment is 40 percent.

“Every economic sector is impacted by the lack of water supply reliability,” said Timothy Quinn, ACWA executive director. “Whether it’s farmers forced to abandon fields, agricultural workers losing their jobs, causing economic upheaval for rural communities, or businesses and development threatened by the inability to assure reliable water supplies. We need action now on water.”

The rally coincided with ACWA’s 2009 spring conference in Sacramento where a statewide issue forum discussed the impact of California’s water crisis on the state’s economy. Panelists spoke of the need for a comprehensive, long-term statewide water strategy and immediate action by the legislature and governor.

California Building Industry Association President and CEO Robert Rivinius said the lack of water infrastructure and available water impacts new housing. “Construction is down 80 percent from 2005, with housing at 44,000 units, the lowest since WW II. Building trades unemployment is down 70 to 80 percent,” he said. “We support an $11 billion water bond to come to grips with California’s water needs.”

Read more from the Lake County News by clicking here.

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