• Governor, others take part in Capitol rally to urge approval of comprehensive plan
SACRAMENTO, CA, Aug. 13, 2008 -- Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) President Glen Peterson appeared at a Capitol rally today with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislators to call for swift action on a water bond package for the November ballot.
Addressing a crowd of more than 1,000 farm workers and others who marched around the Capitol in support of a comprehensive water bond, Peterson said there is too much at stake to delay action on a bond package this year.
"California is in the midst of a severe water crisis, and we need solutions today," Peterson said. "We need to invest in our water system so it can meet the needs of the environment and the economy. There is no single issue more important to California today and to our future generations."
Schwarzenegger and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein have proposed a $9.3 billion bond for the November ballot that would fund local resource development, Delta sustainability and infrastructure improvements to address the state's deepening water crisis.
ACWA's Board of Directors voted unanimously July 25 to support the package, calling it the right mix of long-term investments in backbone water infrastructure and programs such as conservation, water recycling and groundwater cleanup to improve local water supply reliability.
"It's time for big thinking and comprehensive solutions," Peterson said. "We need action on a water bond now."
ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 450 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California.
###
