The Governor touts the state’s ‘all-hands-on-deck’ approach to address the drought. Yet, he did not propose funding for above ground water in this year’s budget. His Administration has not approved permits for water storage projects like Sites Reservoir – after almost a decade of voters’ approval of Proposition 1, a $2.7 billion bond dedicated to build water storage. These empty promises come on the heels of the California Coastal Commission’s (many of whom were appointed by the Governor) rejection of a desalination plant in Southern California. Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Kern County) Vice Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee issued the following statement:
“Californians are facing the third year of a devastating drought. Yet, the Governor continues to fail to invest in above ground water storage in this year’s or next year’s budget.
“Despite all the words, the one thing missing is immediate funding for above ground water storage that Californians desperately need.
“The Governor must plan better to build and finish water storage projects to collect every drop of water that’s given to us.”
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