Originally published in CalMatters, Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Red Bluff) and Senator Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno), make the case for their new legislation to build water storage now in this op-ed.
“Over the past 40 years, California has not completed a major water storage project of statewide significance despite the state’s population nearly doubling.
“Without substantial new investments and commitments to capture, store and move water throughout the state, whole communities will be subject to water scarcity and farmers will be unable to produce adequate food supplies, threatening food and national security. …
“We cannot simply conserve or recycle our way out of current and future droughts. More water storage and infrastructure is a fundamental part of the solution.
“As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee (Andreas Borgeas) and vice chair of the Budget Committee (Jim Nielsen), we feel a great sense of urgency to find solutions to the mismanagement of California’s water system. That is why we are introducing Senate Bill 890 to help facilitate building water storage by making significant investments in California’s above-ground water storage and conveyance infrastructure.
“Specifically, SB 890 would establish the Water Storage and Conveyance Fund, providing $2.6 billion to complete funding requirements for Sites Reservoir and augmenting by $685 million the budget to repair the Friant-Kern and Delta-Mendota canals and the San Luis Field and San Joaquin Divisions of the California Aqueduct. …
“The Legislature has a rare window of opportunity to fund these critical water infrastructure projects by using some of the $12 billion in excess taxpayer revenues already collected. Under state law, when revenues exceed the state’s spending limit – the Gann Limit – infrastructure projects may be financed using revenue from the general fund.
“Senate Republicans are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature to put some of the state’s surplus funds toward vitally needed water storage. The completion of Sites Reservoir and repairs on the Central Valley canals would go a long way toward preserving public health, protecting the environment and maintaining economic viability.” …
Click here to read the full Op-ed as published in CalMatters