Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today joined farm workers, farmers, mayors, students, business owners and civic leaders at the San Luis Reservoir as the last stop in a four-day California March for Water Rally through the Central Valley to draw attention to California's water crisis and the urgent need for a comprehensive solution that increases storage, improves conveyance, protects the Delta's ecosystem and promotes greater water conservation.
"This march is about opening our eyes to the reality of California's water crisis - and the reality is that farmers do not have a reliable water supply they can count on, farm workers fear losing their jobs because crops are not being planted, and in towns across the Central Valley, unemployment is skyrocketing," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I am determined to getting a comprehensive solution done once and for all that will update our water infrastructure, increase our water storage and restore our Delta."
The lack of water has forced California farmers to abandon or leave unplanted more than 100,000 acres of agricultural land. With California farmers providing nearly half of the fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables consumed by Americans, and the Central Valley in particular being the most productive farmland in the country, the crop losses caused by the drought will adversely impact families and economies throughout California and beyond our borders. Agricultural revenue losses exceed $300 million to date and additional losses of up to $477 million are projected this season. Total income losses to farmers and other businesses involved in crop production could reach $644 million this year.
In February, Gov. Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency due to drought conditions statewide and ordered immediate action to manage the crisis. In the proclamation, the Governor exerts his executive authority to direct all state government agencies to utilize their resources, implement a state emergency plan and provide assistance for people, communities and businesses impacted by the drought.
The Governor has supported the California Latino Water Coalition (Coalition) since its formation in 2007. He first appeared with the Coalition in April 2007 when the group endorsed a comprehensive water solution, and again last July to highlight his compromise plan with Senator Dianne Feinstein to update California's water system.
The Governor is committed to updating our state's aging water structure with a strong focus on conservation, environmental protection and increased storage:
- California recently sold $733 million in bonds to fund drought, flood control and water management projects, and the state is preparing for another bond sale of $400 million for water and drought response.
- Last July, the Governor and Senator Dianne Feinstein proposed a compromise plan to the legislature to update California's water system that would put the state on the path toward restoring the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, expanding water supplies and promoting conservation efforts that will ensure a clean, reliable water supply for California.
- In 2006, the Governor signed Executive Order S-17-06, establishing an independent Blue Ribbon Task Force to develop a durable vision for sustainable management of the Delta. The plan was meant to balance the agricultural, environmental, community and business interests of the Delta.
- In July 2007, the Governor directed the Department of Water Resources to take immediate action to improve conditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, to help restore its natural habitat and protect the Delta smelt and other species. The Governor issued immediate directives to protect the Delta using existing resources and also called for additional actions to be included as part of a comprehensive water package.
