by Winnie Hsiu
October 12, 2009 9:37 AM
As first reported on October 12’s inlandnewstoday.com (an online news source covering events in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in Southern California), Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says enough progress has been made to call a special session of the Legislature (no exact date and or time set), despite no definitive deals on California’s’ water issues.
Schwarzenegger was quoted as saying, "While we still have a few remaining issues to work out, I commend the legislative leaders for their focus and commitment to solving this crisis."
Regarding the water talks, there seem to be six points of contention "bubbling up," including whether to monitor groundwater in California for the first time and give added authority to regulators to police illegal water diversions; the makeup of a new Delta council; details of new water conservation requirements; and the size and other details of a proposed water bond.
Yesterday (October 11), Democrats gave Republicans a proposed bill to fix the fragile Delta, the details of which were not released.
The Governor outlined four goals for the special Legislative session, including:
1. To consider and act upon legislation to protect and restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta while also improving the reliability and quality of water supplies from that estuary;
2. To consider and act upon legislation to address the short and long term improvement of California’s water management system, including developing new surface and groundwater storage and improved conveyance facilities, ecosystem health and conservation strategies;
3. To consider and act upon legislation to appropriate funds, including appropriations for general obligation and lease revenue bonds, to improve water resource management, build additional water storage facilities, develop groundwater aquifers, improve groundwater quality and flood protection, and restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and other important ecosystem restoration projects;
4. To consider and act upon legislation to place a general obligation bond and, as necessary, a lease revenue bond on the ballot.