The Water War Debates - By N.L. Belardes

I'm sure many of you are aware of Water War issues Kern County has been involved in for years.

Now we have a state Senator declaring water in the Central Valley is scarce, and that nearly 4 billion dollar plan is needed to create more dams and reservoirs to protect the future of Central and Southern CA.

You may agree with the plan. You might not. Democrats have opposed the plan which reached Bakersfield Friday in the way of a huge water-related forum.

I'm still wondering if it's all really about protecting the quality of water of if it's about big money, big agriculture, and big water deals for gov't agencies.

I wrote an article yesterday on ABC23 titled, "Water Wars Over Northern Calif. Supplies Hit Bakersfield."

Here's an excerpt:

Kern County is also part of the state's ongoing water crisis which Senator Dave Cogdill of Modesto called the worst drought in California history.

State Senator Roy Ashburn who called the forum believes Californians need to have more water, build more damns, and build more reservoirs. He said California has more water in north and not a lot in the south or in Central California.

According to a report sent out by Senator Cogdill, the $3.95 billion SB 59 Reliable Water Supply Bond Act would solve the crisis.

The bill has stalled in recent months from Democrat opposition in the California state Senate. Four Democrats opposed the bill and one abstained. According to the Aquafornia blog water flowing one way from north to south is a problem in itself, and that northern California water officials claim details are lacking regarding the water plan.

Senator Ashburn said, “It’s been decades since we’ve made any changes in our water supply, yet we’ve continued to grow.”

The report claims that California’s water system is in need for improvements. Declining snow pack levels and increased population growth mean that more storage capacity for water is needed, especially for dry years like 2007.

(read the full article)

What do you think?