E-mail
Print
"There's no arguing in many ways it's a political document," conceded Sen. Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto), who drafted the bond measure. "It creates constituents of support as we go to the polls. That's not anything new."
The bond issues would be staggered, and backers said debt payments will not kick in until some existing bonds are retired. But when fully issued, the debt service will amount to more than $600 million a year, potentially taking money from education and other programs supported by the general fund.
Opponents questioned why state taxpayers should shoulder such a financial burden, pointing to the State Water Project, which was mostly financed by users.
A proposal to increase penalties for illegal water diversions and give the state water board more enforcement clout was gutted at the last minute. Tim Quinn, executive director of the Assn. of California Water Agencies -- who praised the final package -- said the initial enforcement proposal had been "too punitive and harsh."
Other provisions were weakened to garner votes, but backers said the policy overhaul still marked a leap forward.
"There is so much nonsense in the bond. But there is so much good in the delta bills that we've never had before," said Cynthia Koehler, senior consulting attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund.
She cited a requirement that the state water board set standards for how much water must flow through the delta to maintain a healthy estuary. The measure also makes it official policy that the state reduce its reliance on the beleaguered delta as a water supply.
The urban conservation targets, she added, move water-saving out of the realm of "if I feel like it" to targets and actions.
bettina.boxall@latimes.com
Times staff writer Shane Goldmacher in Sacramento contributed to this report.
The bond issues would be staggered, and backers said debt payments will not kick in until some existing bonds are retired. But when fully issued, the debt service will amount to more than $600 million a year, potentially taking money from education and other programs supported by the general fund.
Opponents questioned why state taxpayers should shoulder such a financial burden, pointing to the State Water Project, which was mostly financed by users.
A proposal to increase penalties for illegal water diversions and give the state water board more enforcement clout was gutted at the last minute. Tim Quinn, executive director of the Assn. of California Water Agencies -- who praised the final package -- said the initial enforcement proposal had been "too punitive and harsh."
Other provisions were weakened to garner votes, but backers said the policy overhaul still marked a leap forward.
"There is so much nonsense in the bond. But there is so much good in the delta bills that we've never had before," said Cynthia Koehler, senior consulting attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund.
She cited a requirement that the state water board set standards for how much water must flow through the delta to maintain a healthy estuary. The measure also makes it official policy that the state reduce its reliance on the beleaguered delta as a water supply.
The urban conservation targets, she added, move water-saving out of the realm of "if I feel like it" to targets and actions.
bettina.boxall@latimes.com
Times staff writer Shane Goldmacher in Sacramento contributed to this report.
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Save more than