IRVINE, CA, Feb. 29, 2008 -- The following statement was made by Tom Nassif, President and CEO of Western Growers, in response to a letter from Governor Schwarzenegger to state Senate leaders outlining his administration's plans on water infrastructure:
"Our members provide about half the entire nation's fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, the best medicine for our nation's health and obesity crisis. The worsening California water crisis is directly threatening the ability of growers, packers and shippers of this healthy food to continue operating in California. We have been working closely with the Governor for over a year to develop a comprehensive water infrastructure bond measure that addresses the needs of California's growing population, the delta ecosystem and the preservation of California's productive agricultural open space.
"We applaud Governor Schwarzenegger for taking steps to complete feasibility studies for water storage options identified by CalFed and begin environmental studies for improved water conveyance options in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. These are critical elements of a comprehensive water plan that have been delayed for too long.
"It is our hope and expectation that we will continue to work with the Governor, Senator Feinstein and legislative leaders of both parties to develop a comprehensive water infrastructure bond that truly addresses all of California's needs for decades to come."
Western Growers is an agricultural trade association whose members from Arizona and California grow, pack and ship ninety percent of the fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in California and seventy five percent of those commodities in Arizona.
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Also see:
-- "ACWA urges legislature to continue work on water solutions"
-- "Metropolitan Water District statement on governor's delta letter"
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