White House reveals water crisis action plan

Posted at 04:06 PM
Dec. 22, 2009
Bee staff and news services

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Schwarzenegger unveiled an updated water plan Tuesday that nearly doubles the price tag of an earlier proposal and includes a significant new state investment in dams -- an idea that Democrats have long opposed.

More than half of the $9 billion plan would be dedicated to three dams, including one near Fresno, with remaining money for regional water projects and to repair the deteriorating Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Lawmakers have only a few weeks to reach a deal in time to get a bond on the Feb. 5 ballot -- a goal of both parties.

The Obama administration sought Tuesday to reaffirm its commitment to help ease California's water crisis by releasing an "interim action plan."

The document essentially pulls together previous declarations and policies issued by the Interior Department and five other federal agencies, including an emphasis on cooperating with state officials.

"The administration is giving priority attention to these issues because the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta-San Francisco Bay Estuary is among the most important estuary ecosystems in the nation," the action plan states.

Westlands Water District, whose growers have seen deliveries slashed because of drought and environmental restrictions, praised the action plan.

In a statement, the district said "the federal government's commitment to 'building a sustainable water future' for California hits exactly the right note. We look forward to doing our part to meet what the plan's authors rightly identify as a responsibility we all share."

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