State, U.S. Sign Historic Water Deal
State and federal officials signed a historic compromise in California’s water disputes Monday, triggering the release of hundreds of millions of dollars for ecosystem restoration and other projects.
The CalFed document formalizes projects outlined in an agreement announced June 9. Nearly all the money needed to finance the $8.6-billion, seven-year plan still needs approval from the Legislature and Congress.
The officials’ signatures set into motion plans to stabilize the water supply for agriculture and cities, to protect the quality of drinking water, restore the fragile Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay and strengthen levees.
The projects would raise the water level in certain reservoirs, including Shasta Lake; reline canals to decrease water loss; boost recycling, transfers and underground storage; improve conservation; and increase state and federal pumping by 15% from the southern edge of the delta.
The Legislature is considering a bill that would create a panel to oversee the projects.
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