Caballero to take part in D.C. water talks

Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, D-Salinas, has been appointed by
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, to travel to
Washington, D.C., to be part of a public hearing on California’s
Water crisis, according to a press release from Caballero’s
office.
Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, D-Salinas, has been appointed by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, to travel to Washington, D.C., to be part of a public hearing on California’s Water crisis, according to a press release from Caballero’s office.

“Solving California’s decades-old water problems remains a top priority for the Assembly,” Bass said in the statement. “Assemblymember Caballero has been one of our top negotiators on water and she will bring a valuable perspective as we look for ways to partner effectively with the federal government on funding and other key issues.

“The meetings Assemblymember Caballero will be participating in with Secretary [of the Interior Ken] Salazar and other stakeholders will help provide important information as we work to put the complicated pieces in place to reach what would be a historic agreement.”

The San Benito County assemblywoman said in the statement she is “honored” by the appointment.

“California is experiencing its third year of drought and over a hundred thousand acres of farmland has been idled due to the lack of water,” Caballero said in the release. “Farmers are unable to grow their crops and thousands of farm workers are out of work. This is an important opportunity to talk to our representatives in Washington and work together to solve our water crisis.”

The public hearing will be to discuss the federal and state plans to address California’s drought, the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, seismic risks, climate change and water deliveries for the Central Valley, according to the statement.  

“We face many challenges if California’s water infrastructure is not fixed,” said Caballero, who has proposed an $11.7 billion water bond. “This year, water deliveries were reduced due to the years of drought and a federal court order.

“These discussions are critical because they bring together federal and California officials to address short-term and long-term solutions that are needed in order to help solve our state’s water problems.”