SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - August 25, 2009) - Association of California Water Agencies
(ACWA) Executive Director Timothy Quinn today called on lawmakers to
develop a legislative package that includes a strong commitment to
improving both water supply reliability and ecosystem health in the Delta
and establishes a governance mechanism that solves problems rather than
creates barriers.
Testifying before a joint hearing of the Senate Natural Resources and Water
Committee and the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, Quinn said
the five-bill package -- with the critical addition of a finance element --
provides a framework from which to negotiate a sound policy future for
California water management. He noted, however, that modifications are
needed to ensure the package and its proposed governance approach can meet
its stated goals.
"The pre-print package falls short of advancing a governance structure that
will result in the innovative planning and coordination we need to address
both Delta ecosystem health and water supply reliability," Quinn said. "Our
concern is that the proposed approach will result in a powerful and
inevitably large council that will defeat the original purpose of the body.
Other provisions run the risk of just prolonging the gridlock that has sent
both the environment and water supply into a tailspin."
Quinn called on lawmakers to modify the governance proposal to achieve a
smaller, more nimble Delta Stewardship Council that would focus on
developing a plan that achieves the
co-equal goals and protects the economy and the community of the Delta. The
council should restrict its activities to the Delta and have the authority
to require agencies to comply with the Delta plan.
He also cautioned against duplicating the decision-making process of the
Bay-Delta Conservation Plan and subjecting implementation of the BDCP to
additional pre-conditions and approvals beyond existing law, including the
Endangered Species Act and water rights permits.
In addition to specific governance recommendations, Quinn urged the
Legislature to work with the water community to advance a truly
comprehensive package that includes the following:
-- A commitment to the co-equal goals of improved water supply
reliability and ecosystem health.
-- A conveyance solution in the Delta.
-- Investments in additional water storage (both surface and groundwater)
to be operated for the co-equal values.
-- Substantial investments in local resources development, including
conservation, water recycling and groundwater management.
-- Delta governance mechanisms that solve rather than create problems.
-- A financing element that provides funding to pay for the public share
of infrastructure costs and other programs consistent with the
beneficiaries pay principle.
ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 450 members are
responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more
information, visit
www.acwa.com.
Contact Information: Contact:
Jennifer Persike
ACWA Director of Strategic Coordination and Public Affairs
916/441-4545
916/296-3981 (cell)