California Water Alliance Endorses Citizens Bond Measure Initiative for November General Election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact: Robert Dolezal
(916) 408-5144

 

The California Water Alliance (CalWA) Board of Directors voted unanimously Tuesday to join major agricultural, environmental, conservation, and other organizations in endorsing passage of a new statewide citizen’s ballot initiative and bond measure on November’s ballot.

Upon passage, the water bond measure will fund $8.877 billion in Water Supply and Quality, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Water Conveyance, Groundwater Sustainability and Water Storage projects statewide. The measure will be on the California 2018 General Election’s ballot.

“Passage of this bond will build new projects and improve existing infrastructure necessary to balancing the water needs of the Central Valley and beyond, including water used by the state’s people, wildlife refuges, watershed habitats, farming and groundwater recharge,” said Erik Hansen, Chairman of CalWA.

“Voters should recognize that California’s water supply, quality and reliability remain critically impaired, even though immediate concerns of drought have temporarily paused,” he continued. “We’re still at risk.”

“Passing this initiative means thousands of Californians will see improvement in the safety of their drinking water,” he said. “It corrects widespread ground subsidence due to water extraction, improves and secures California’s rural economies, and gives water to the environment, animals and fish so that they may thrive.”

Hansen continued, “Agriculture has fallowed millions of acres of prime farmlands and grazing ranchlands because the state’s planning and construction of California’s water infrastructure is falling woefully short of our state’s and people’s needs.”

Among those backing the measure with CalWA are Friant Water Authority, Westlands Water Authority, the Association of California Water Agencies, the California Fresh Fruit Association, Ducks Unlimited, California Waterfowl Association, and many other conservation and agricultural groups.

“When Californians vote this November they should vote “Yes for More Water.” The measure addresses California’s real water needs and the problems they create for real Californians, those of us who depend on water to live and for their jobs.” Hansen concluded. “An adequate, secure, safe and reliable water supply is essential for our state.”

 

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The California Water Alliance is a non-profit statewide water policy, education and advocacy group that promotes achieving a safe, reliable and adequate water supply for all Californians and seeks long-term solutions to the continuing water emergencies and droughts afflicting California. Get involved. Visit www.CaliforniaWaterAlliance.org