[Water_news] 5. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: AGENCIES, PROGRAMS, PEOPLE - 9/7/07

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment

 

September 7, 2007

 

5. Agencies, Programs, People

 

Attempt to amend water bond fails; Plan would include funds for Salton Sea; governor's office says restoration still priority

Desert Sun – 9/7/07

By Jake Henshaw, staff writer

 

The already uncertain prospect for a water bond including Salton Sea funds to pass this legislative session entered even murkier waters Wednesday when the Assembly balked at considering a Senate proposal.

 

But separately, the Schwarzenegger administration's top water official said restoration of the Salton Sea is a priority even as the state tries to meet its water supply needs.

 

"I think we need to stabilize California's water supply," said Lester Snow, the director of the Department of Water Resources. "But we also need to solve some of what have been intractable environmental problems.

 

"The Klamath (River) is an example, and the San Joaquin (River) and the Salton Sea," he continued at a news conference on water issues. "Those have to move forward regardless of how we handle the Delta situation."

 

The problems of the Sacramento River Delta - the switching station for water serving about two-thirds of the state's population and about 750,000 acres of farmland - have moved to the center of the water debate.

 

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed a $5.9 billion bond package that includes water for the Delta as well as two new reservoirs, conservation and $250 million for projects such as the Salton Sea, which is drying up.

 

A bill incorporating his plan was defeated earlier this year, but the governor has said water remains one of his top three issues - along with health care and redistricting - for the 2007 legislative session.

 

Senate leader Don Perata, D-Oakland, has proposed a $5 billion bond plan that would provide $1 billion for projects such as the Salton Sea and Klamath River.

 

He tried Wednesday to amend his plan into another measure, Senate Bill 378, which is in an Assembly committee, but Assembly officials refused to accept the amendments.

 

Perata's press secretary, Alicia Trost, said this standoff "signifies a major problem in reaching agreement on a water bond."

 

"The language (of the amendments) is the water bond, and we didn't accept it," responded Steve Maviglio, spokesman for Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez. "There has been no agreement between the Assembly leaders, Senate leaders and the governor."

 

The Legislature is scheduled to end its regular session by Sept. 14, if not sooner, though there is discussion of a possible special session on one or more of the governor's priorities if they aren't resolved.

 

Salton Sea backers also are pushing hard to revive Senate Bill 187 by Sen. Denise Ducheny, D-San Diego, that would lay the groundwork for a $8.9 billion sea restoration program by setting out rules for $47 million approved in a previous bond for the state's largest lake.

 

The bill was held last week in the Assembly Appropriations Committee where it could be revived in 2008 if it's not approved this year.

 

"If we see an opportunity to move it this year, we will do it," said John Ferrera, Ducheny's chief of staff.

 

SB 187 appears to be a possible candidate for typical end-of-session jockeying between the Assembly and Senate over a variety of bills that members of each house want passed.

 

Assemblyman John J. Benoit, R-Palm Desert, said he has talked with the chair of the appropriations committee who indicated he is willing to listen, though action also would require agreement between leaders of each house.

 

"There is still the potential for movement this year," Benoit said before adding, "Let's say it's a long shot at this point in the process."

 

Whether the bill is approved, the 2007-08 budget includes $23 million to begin initial restoration work on the Salton Sea while future funding and a new agency is created to oversee the 75-year recovery work.

 

"We've got to have a governance structure in place," Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman said after the news conference. "It's critical." #

http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007709060329

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