Posted on 01/25/2007 5:39:38 PM PST by NormsRevenge
Democrats in the state Senate on Thursday said California does not need to build new reservoirs as it tries to cope with the expected consequences of global warming.
Instead, the state should rely on conservation, underground storage and boosting the height of existing dams.
Their plan, outlined in a series bills, runs counter to Republicans' desire for new reservoirs to help California address the changes anticipated from global climate change.
It sets up a potential clash in the coming months with Republicans and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who proposed $4.5 billion for two new reservoirs and underground water storage in his state of the state speech earlier this month.
"We do not believe that dams at this point are needed. They cost billions of dollars and take years to build," Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, said during a news conference.
Democrats also said California should wisely spend the $9.5 billion in flood-control and water bond money approved by voters in November before it spends more for new dams. Despite the disagreement, Perata predicted lawmakers and the governor will be able to negotiate.
California's average temperature is projected to rise 3 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050 and 5 degrees by 2100, state climatologist Michael Anderson said.
Scientists say the warmer weather will lead to more rain than snow in the Sierra Nevada, the 400-mile-long range that acts as a giant ice box for the state. Its snowpack stores much of the state's water supply, releasing it throughout the spring and summer when it's most in demand by farmers and cities.
Climate-change models say that pattern will change. The snowpack is expected to be smaller and will melt earlier in the year, conditions that could lead to spring flooding and summer drought.
"We all agree these are big challenges to ensure the water supply and to use it efficiently," Perata said. "But we need to get beyond the old and tired maxim that the best way to do that is to build a dam."
Some scientists say additional reservoirs are needed to capture the heavier runoff. Schwarzenegger proposed building one of the reservoirs in a valley about 60 miles north of Sacramento and the other near Fresno.
Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, said the proposal is premature, in part because studies of the two dam sites won't be completed for two years.
Reacting to the Democrats' proposals, Schwarzenegger said boosting surface storage must be part of the state's long-term water planning. He also advocates desalination, among other measures, said a spokesman, Darrel Ng.
"We must carefully consider all of the possible actions to ensure water supplies, including surface storage - an important part of a responsible overall water management system," Ng said.
Legislative Republicans and farmers are among those saying new reservoirs must be part of any response to global warming. Using water more efficiently and boosting conservation efforts are important but do not go far enough, said Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman of Fullerton.
"I think it's pretty clear: If you want to solve the water problems for the state long-term, you have to look at above-ground storage," Ackerman said. "You can't depend on enough groundwater storage and rainfall to take care of it."
Perata introduced a bill that would require the state to "conserve, reuse and recycle where possible. We have not even begun to make a dent in that," he said.
The Democrats' legislative package also includes three other bills. They would speed levee repairs, revamp the state board overseeing flood protection and clarify who's responsible when developers build in flood plains.
IOW, we'd have to spend the people's money on projects that benefit the people, rather than putting it directly into our pockts.
Conservation? Fine: cut off the Dems' water and electricity.
California should stop stealing so much water from the Colorado River and from Nevada's Owens Valley.
They should put in de-salination plants to be self-reliant.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Their plan, outlined in a series bills, runs counter to Republicans' desire for new reservoirs to help California address the changes anticipated from global climate change.
That would be right in line with the Democrat Governor's wishes.
There.
I fixed it.
Time to bring back
If it's yellow, it's mellow
If it's brown, flush it down
No news here. They've been against new dams since the 1970's. "Environmental concerns." Meaning hippy backpackers would rather look at a river than a lake.
But 15 million more illegal aliens? Yeah, we need those. ;)
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