Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, the Salinas Democrat representing
San Benito County, is set to formally announce her $11.7 billion
water bond in the State Capitol on Wednesday, according to a press
release from the assemblywoman’s office.
HOLLISTER
Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, the Salinas Democrat representing San Benito County, is set to formally announce her $11.7 billion water bond in the State Capitol on Wednesday, according to a press release from the assemblywoman’s office.
Caballero spoke to the Free Lance earlier this week about the bond proposal. She noted how it will include allocating money to “every single watershed” in the state; setting aside $3 billion for Delta repairs; using another $3 billion on storage; and using other funds for conservation, groundwater contamination cleanup, recycling, storm runoff and desalination, among other needs.
If approved by state leaders, she notes in the press release how it would go to voters in the November 2010 election.
The state official has taken a particular interest in the water issue since touting the efforts of Latino leaders concerned about thousands of job losses throughout the region due to the water shortage. It has been caused primarily by drought conditions leading to a 10 percent federal allocation this year, and a federal judge’s decision to cut off pumping in dry months to protect the threatened Delta smelt fish.
According to the press release from her office:
“Assemblywoman Anna M. Caballero announces the introduction of a water bond to help solve California’s water crisis. California is experiencing its third year of drought and over a thousand acres of farmland have been idled due to the lack of water. Farmers are unable to grow their crops and thousands of farm workers are out of work. The water bond will help restore the ecosystem, important habitat, and it will fix the infrastructure of the deteriorating Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, which is a major source of drinking water for Southern Californians and irrigation for San Joaquin Valley Farms.
“The bond includes funds for surface storage, drought relief projects, water conservation, groundwater cleanup, and $3 billion in Delta sustainability improvements, such as levees, infrastructure protection, and water quality. Also, $100 million will go to disadvantaged or economically distressed communities for groundwater protection, and water quality projects. The bond will also designate funds for advanced water recycling, desalination, storm water solutions and water reuse.”
PRESS CONFERENCE INFO:
WHO: Anna M. Caballero, Assemblymember, 28th District
WHAT: Announcing Caballero water bill that will give California voters the opportunity to approve a water bond in the November 3, 2010 state general election for $11.7 billion. According to the official, this water bond will clean up polluted wells, and expand flood prevention and environmental protection of water sources supplying the State Water Project.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: State Capitol, Governor’s Press Room 1190
