Wolk bill to reduce reliance on freshwater from Delta moves forward
Daily Democrat
04/18/2011
The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee voted 5-3 this week to approve legislation by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to reduce the state's reliance on freshwater from the fragile Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed.
"My legislation would ensure that state investments in regional water supply reliability are directed to the most efficient and strategic projects, consistent with state policy to reduce reliance on freshwater exported from the Delta watershed," Wolk said. "The bill also promotes regional self-sufficiency."
Wolk's Senate Bill 834 will utilize Integrated Regional Water Management Plans as a tool to implement the state policy, established in 2009, of reducing reliance on freshwater exported from the Delta. The bill is supported by Sierra Club California and Planning and Conservation League, and will next be heard on the Senate Floor.
The committee also voted 5-3 to approve another water measure by Wolk, SB 571, which would establish a more transparent and fair mechanism for prioritizing funding for water projects throughout the state. The bill is based largely on a report from the independent, bipartisan Little Hoover Commission, "Managing for Change: Modernizing California's Water Governance," and also addresses recommendations by the State Treasurer's Office and the State Auditor.
"My intent is to model a new system of water investment after the state's transportation funding system, which works very well when it comes to determining state, regional, and local priorities," Wolk said. "This legislation would incorporate input from the integrated water management plans, which provide a local voice for funding priorities at the state level."
