More News

Delta Groups to Unveil Sensible Water Policy Proposals Friday

Coalition letter to Governor Schwarzenegger, Senator Steinberg, and Speaker Bass

by Dan Bacher

October 8, 2009 -- Sacramento Restore the Delta, representatives of the Delta community, fishing organizations, and environmental groups will unveil alternative water policy recommendations they are submitting to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senate Pro Tem Steinberg, and Assembly Speaker Bass Friday as they consider solutions to the states eminent water problems.
 
"These policies will put California on the right track toward a resilient water system founded on a sense of stewardship and responsibility for the precious water resources we are privileged to have," according to a statement from the groups.
 
The coalition of diverse organizations is releasing its proposals at a time that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is refusing to sign 700 bills now awaiting his signature unless he receives a water bill package to his liking on his desk by Friday night. Schwarzenegger is in effect holding the state hostage to his plan to build a peripheral canal.
 
The recommendations will be discussed during a media teleconference call on Friday, October 9, at 11:00 am. The speakers will include Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla - Restore the Delta; Charlotte Hodde Planning and Conservation League: Debbie Davis Environmental Justice Coalition for Water; Jennifer Clary Clean Water Action; Jim Metropulos Sierra Club California; Michael Jackson California Water Impact Network and California Sportfishing Protection Alliance; Conner Everett Southern California Watershed Alliance; and Steve Evans Friends of the River
 
Key provisions to be discussed include regional self-sufficiency; energy efficiency; water quality; conservation; impacts on the Delta community, farmers and fishermen; reform of existing agencies; and balanced financing.
 
Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, campaign director for Restore the Delta, today slammed the continued, back room negotiations on water policy legislation between the Governor and the Legislature.
 
It continues to boggle the mind that Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislative leadership continue to debate the future of the Delta region behind closed doors and without any representation from anyone from the heart of the Delta or who is committed to protecting it," she stated. "Instead of bringing groups together to find common ground we see more of the same backroom deals, political strong-arm tactics (such as the Governor threatening vetoes unless his water scheme is passed) and special interests driving the agenda."
 
This is not the way to conduct the peoples business and is no way to address the real water policy issues that impact all Californians," she emphasized.
 
Many others from throughout the state have also voiced their concerns about the process with which water policy is being debated in Sacramento. In a letter sent to Senate Pro Tempore Steinberg and Speaker Bass on October 2, a broad coalition of Delta government, business, labor and community leaders strongly insisted that plans to supply other parts of the state with water not be done at the expense of the California Delta, the largest estuary on the West Coast of the Americas.
 
As government, business, labor and community leaders of the greater Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region, we support efforts to find a solution to the issues facing the Delta and the states water supply system, but insist that Delta policies designed to secure water for other parts of the state must not adversely impact or occur at the expense of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region," they stated. "Further, we demand the opportunity to be represented in discussions as the legislation package is further developed. Simply put, a fair and balanced Delta solution should not be crafted without the involvement of or at the expense of the greater Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region.
 
The conference call is for credentialed media only. The dial-in number is 888-632-5950 and the Passcode is 7253.
 
For more information, contact Roger Salazar for Restore the Delta, (916) 444-8897, or go to http://www.restorethedelta.org.