California Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force Report

12/17/2007 -- California Governor Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement after the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force delivered its final report:

“I would like to thank Phil Isenberg and the members of the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force for their hard work over the past ten months. This report reaffirms the need to take immediate and long-term actions to improve both the ailing Delta habitat and the state's major water infrastructure. With shrinking snowpacks and court-ordered reductions in water deliveries to twenty five million Californians and hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland, our state is facing severe water shortages. It is clear that the time for action is now and any delay will only make problems worse over the coming decades.

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“In addition to an increased emphasis on conservation and regional self sufficiency, this report shows the critical link new surface storage and conveyance play in a long term fix for the Delta. That is why I am committed to continue working with legislative leaders to approve a comprehensive water infrastructure bond for 2008. This will ensure that these key recommendations can be funded without delay.”

The Governor has directed a cabinet-level committee led by Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman to evaluate the recommendations and entire report.

In July, the Governor directed the Department of Water Resources to take immediate action steps to improve conditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, to help restore its natural habitat and protect the Delta smelt and other species.

In October, the Governor signed a package of legislation that calls for development of a comprehensive Central Valley Flood Protection Plan and reforms the Reclamation Board to improve efficiency, require cities and counties to increase consideration of flood risks when making land use decisions and create a new standard in flood protection for urban development in the region.

Last year, the Governor directed the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force to develop a Delta management plan. The Bay Delta Conservation Plan is also underway, being developed with broad participation from water agencies, environmental organizations and local representatives.

In January, consistent with the Delta management plan, the Governor introduced a comprehensive plan to invest in additional surface and groundwater storage. 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 it is the backbone of California’s $32 billion agricultural industry.

Throughout this year, the Governor visited several sites around the state highlighting the need to upgrade California’s water infrastructure, calling on the legislature to pass his comprehensive plan. Over the last several months, the Governor has been negotiating with legislative leaders to gain consensus on a proposal.

Source: California Governor