Governor Schwarzenegger today called for an agreement on a proposal to address California’s critically-needed water infrastructure as the current system faces severe limitations, environmental lawsuits and reduced water deliveries to drought-stricken Southern California.  In a speech at the California State Association of Counties annual meeting that was attended by more than 500 local and state officials, the Governor discussed his plan to fix the ailing Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, increase water conservation and add water storage and conveyance to a significantly upgraded statewide system.

After making water infrastructure a top priority for more than a year, the Governor called the Legislature into a special session in September to complete work on ensuring a safe, clean and reliable water supply.  The Governor has been working with legislative leaders to gain consensus on a final bond proposal to put on the February ballot for voters to approve. 

“We all agree we need conservation and water-efficiency measures, flood control, a new Delta conveyance system and additional storage.  The trick is to find that sweet spot where we can all agree on the right mix that will do the most for our state and in the most economically responsible way,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. 

“Whether it’s the drought, reduced pumping through the Delta, or our half-empty reservoirs, everyone now can see that we haven’t done enough to protect California’s water future.  ‘A nation that fails to plan intelligently for the development and protection of its precious waters will be condemned to wither because of its shortsightedness,’ Lyndon Johnson once said.  I want to make sure that never happens in California. But the truth is, we have not added a major state reservoir in more than 30 years, even as our population was booming from 20 million to 37 million.”

In January, building on his Strategic Growth Plan from last year, the Governor introduced a comprehensive plan to invest in additional surface and groundwater storage to meet the needs of population growth and manage the effects of climate change on California's hydrology and water delivery systems.  The plan will help communities protect against flooding, and capture water from storms and snowmelt run-off to supply cities, farmers and business with water during drought conditions.

The Governor’s comprehensive plan also includes significant funding toward restoration of the ailing Delta and would lead to the development of a new conveyance system. Twenty five million Californians rely on the Delta for clean, safe water. It also irrigates hundreds of thousands of acres of Central Valley farmland and is the backbone of California’s $32 billion agricultural industry.