Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
August 2, 2007
5. Agencies, Programs, People
WATER PROJECT FUNDING:
House passes $20-billion water bill; Lawmakers fill the measure with projects for their districts. The 381-40 vote should be enough to override Bush's threatened veto -
FLOOD CONTROL FUNDING:
Flood district contemplates raising taxes - Contra Costa Times
DELTA ISSUES:
Candidate enters canal proposal fight - Contra Costa Times
WATER PROJECT FUNDING:
House passes $20-billion water bill; Lawmakers fill the measure with projects for their districts. The 381-40 vote should be enough to override Bush's threatened veto
By Richard Simon, staff writer
The overwhelming 381-40 vote for the popular $20-billion bill — more than enough to override a veto — demonstrates the enduring power of earmarking, even though it has figured prominently in congressional scandals.
The bill now goes to the Senate, which is expected to vote on it by the end of the week. It includes more than 900 projects sought by members of both the House and the Senate, including money to revitalize the
This new confrontation comes as the Republicans in the White House and the Democratic majority in Congress have been at odds over spending levels for the next fiscal year.
But what is different about this fight is that President Bush's usual allies were among the first to vow to work to override any veto.
During the House debate on Wednesday, Rep. John L. Mica of
Defending the earmarks, he said, "The people send us here to decide what the priorities are for our districts." He added that the projects had been scrutinized to ensure they were meritorious.
Similar language came from the top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
"This bill, while not perfect, has received overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress and goes a long way toward addressing our nation's water resource needs," said Sen. James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma.
In threatening that Bush would veto the bill, White House budget director Rob Portman and John Paul Woodley Jr., the Army's assistant secretary of civil works, objected to the measure's "excessive spending."
"It seems a $14-billion Senate bill went into a conference with the House's $15-billion bill and somehow a bill emerged costing approximately $20 billion," they said in a letter to lawmakers. "This is not how Americans would expect their representatives in
The veto threat also put the administration at odds with other usual allies, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and farm groups, which support the bill.
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, predicted that the Senate would override a veto.
"
She included $25 million in the bill for revitalizing the
The bill authorizes projects, but the funding still must be provided through the appropriations process.
The bill is one of the measures that Congress is expected to send the president before lawmakers adjourn this week for a monthlong recess.
In the
FLOOD CONTROL FUNDING:
Flood district contemplates raising taxes
Contra Costa Times – 8/2/07
By Karen Holzmeister, staff writer
CASTRO VALLEY -- People who live or pay property taxes in Castro Valley, San Lorenzo,
These areas, known as Zone 2 of the Alameda County Flood Control district, are home to
Moore Iacofano Goltsman Inc. will be paid $678,500 during the next three years to help the county plan and promote a ballot measure in Zone 2. Other flood control zones across the county, with different needs and costs, also could face future elections.
The county, working with a
"The cost of implementing many of these projects is well beyond the funding capabilities of some of the zones," Woldesenbet said.
For example, annual tax revenue in Zone 2 is $4.7 million, with most of the money used to maintain 17 miles of open channel, 44 miles of underground pipe, 34 miles of fencing, three pump stations, two dams and two silt-recycling sites.
Less than $1 million a year is available to design and build new projects, Woldesenbet said.
The consultants will work with a variety of individuals and groups in one-on-one and community meetings, conduct community polling, develop educational materials and a project Web site, mail out surveys, create a funding plan most likely to meet with voter approval, prepare financial documents, and design ballot notices and the actual ballots that would be mailed to property owners. #
http://www.contracostatimes.com/bayandstate/ci_6524783
DELTA ISSUES:
Candidate enters canal proposal fight
Contra Costa Times – 8/1/07
By Lisa Vorderbrueggen, staff writer
Former state Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla of
"From what I am reading and hearing, there is a growing push to make the canal a centerpiece of the fixes to the Delta," said Canciamilla, a candidate for the state Senate to replace Tom Torlakson, who terms out in 2008.
"I want to draw attention to the fact people need to start paying attention," he said. "It's happening very quickly and relatively quietly, and advocates for this canal could easily sneak it into some kind of deal that gets made."
Canciamilla will hold a news conference at the Pittsburg Marina, where he will unveil a Web site dedicated to the education of residents on proposals for how to use the Delta's water for human consumption as well as the environment.
He will also ask volunteers to join a grass-roots campaign.
Voters defeated the
Environmentalists, anglers, residents and the Contra Costa Water District have been its harshest critics, citing the potential for a canal to deprive the Delta of fresh water and transform the critical estuary into a salty, inland sea.
But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed support for a new version of the
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, has proposed a similar bond that also includes $1 billion for what officials call a water conveyance system.
Additionally, two other groups are considering a canal, including the Delta Vision task force convened by the governor and a coalition of water users, water agencies and regulators.
Proponents argue that a canal would safeguard the water supply and reduce the need for massive water pumps, which grind up endangered Delta smelt. They also say it would protect drinking water supplies in the event of Delta levee failures.
But Canciamilla said none of the interests involved is looking at the health of the Delta in "the broad context of what it means to the residents of the Bay Area, particularly those in
The canal initiative comes as the former lawmaker ramps up his Senate campaign, although he says it should not interfere. In fact, it will probably boost his public profile in a county where voters place a high premium on the environment.
Canciamilla is one of two declared Democratic candidates for the open Senate seat. The other is Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier of
"It would be easier to take the money and the effort and focus solely on the Senate campaign," Canciamilla said. "But I'm hoping that there will be other groups that will get involved and help. I just think someone needs to raise the issue." #
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