Senator Cogdill Presents His Comprehensive Solution to the State’s Water Crisis at Legislative Hearing

Click here view video of Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) delivering remarks at a joint informational hearing of the Senate Natural Resources Committee and the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Billx7 2, the Safe, Clean, Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2010, by Senator Cogdill, is a comprehensive solution which invests $9.4 billion in General Obligation bonds in our state's aging water infrastructure – focusing on storage, conservation and environmental protections.

The proposal includes:

EFFECTIVE WATER MANAGEMENT: Reserving Water in Wet Years to Survive Dry Years

The measure includes $3 billion for the public benefit portion of environmentally responsible water storage. These funds would be used to build new facilities and expand existing sites to ensure excess water from wet years is available to use in dry years. In addition, this investment will allow the state to leverage matching funds from other sources. This legislation also contains $1.9 billion for regional water supply, conveyance, and drought relief projects and $500 million for groundwater cleanup, particularly in disadvantaged communities and other economically distressed areas.

RESPONSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS: Helping the Environment without Devastating the Economy

The plan also contains $2 billion to preserve the Delta and other fragile ecosystems -- including restoration projects for rivers, the ocean and fish barriers. Another added benefit is that these projects in the Delta will improve conveyance and help make California’s water system more reliable.

RESOURCE CONSERVATION: Making Every Drop Count

While increasing storage will help reduce shortages in the future, the measure also includes building water supply in the short term through water conservation and water-use efficiency programs.