Water Package Moves Forward

On Nov. 4, the California Legislature passed a package of bills and a bond proposal that aim to ensure a reliable and clean water supply for future generations as well as restore the ecologically sensitive areas of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This is the most far-reaching water legislation to be passed in California in 50 years.  The bills will create a Delta Council for governance of the Delta, stricter groundwater monitoring and more rigorous water conservation policy, and water recycling and conservation programs. Specifically, the legislation covers the following areas:

·         Delta Protection/Conveyance

·         New Water Storage

·         Groundwater Monitoring

·         Urban and Agricultural Water Conservation

On Nov. 12, Governor Schwarzenegger held a press conference where he signed SBX7 1, the final bill of the historic legislative water package.

Ag Council staff monitored this process closely and was successful in obtaining protections for food processors in mandated water reductions.  Ag Council will continue to provide its members updates on how this legislation will impact California agriculture and water users. For more details, visit gov.ca.gov/issue/water-supply.