March 20, 2006

Valley Legislators Commended for Working Together to Negotiate More Surface Water Storage for Region

(Fresno, California): The Valley Water Alliance (VWA) appreciates the efforts of Valley legislators who worked together last week, across party lines, to make sure the region’s surface water storage needs were met during negotiations for the state’s failed infrastructure bond proposal.

“We watched our valley legislators come together last week, as our need for additional surface water storage to meet the needs of river restoration and future population demands was debated, as part of the Governor’s infrastructure bond proposal. Party lines were not an issue – the needs of the constituents in the valley took precedent and we appreciate their efforts,” said Joel Nelsen, president of the Valley Water Alliance.

Valley Water Alliance board members spent a considerable amount of time and effort in the past week working the phones, and the halls of our state capitol, to make sure the needs of the Central Valley were included in the 2006 Infrastructure Bond. Their efforts were primarily centered around three funding needs including:
1. $ 200 Million in funding to support restoration of the San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the Merced River in conjunction with the anticipated settlement of the 17-year-old lawsuit over the river (NRDC v. Rodgers);
2. $500 million in funding to support the development of surface storage in the Central Valley; and
3. $200 million in funding to support local water supply and water management programs.

We were successful in our efforts because Central Valley business owners, communities and water districts knew the proposal had to be something that addressed the future infrastructure needs of the entire state. We appreciate the comments made by Governor Schwarzenegger late last week where he indicated the infrastructure bond negotiated for the ballot in November 2006 would be a comprehensive plan, which meets the needs of all Californians. As he said, the Central Valley is one of the poorest regions in the state and the proper infrastructure including surface water storage, transportation and flood control is critical to our future. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and work with the Governor and our legislators to make sure it is a bond we can all agree upon.

“The Valley Water Alliance will continue to work with our Central Valley delegation, including Assembly members Arambula, Matthews, Parra, Maze, McCarthy and Villines and Senators Ashburn, Poochigian and Denham, as they work tirelessly to make sure the needs of their constituents are understood in the coming weeks as a new Infrastructure Bond proposal takes shape,” said Joel Nelsen. “The support of our valley legislators and entire California Congressional Delegation made a difference, and will continue to make a difference, as we make sure surface water storage in our region is a part of future infrastructure bonds.

A non-profit organization, the VWA board of directors is committed to making sure the economic impacts of any restoration strategy are taken into consideration. The board of directors includes elected officials, business owners, and labor interests from Merced to Kern Counties who recognize our water is our future. A partial list of board members include representatives from each board of supervisors from the counties of Kern, Kings, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, and Merced, Mayor of Fresno Alan Autry, Mayor of Lindsay Ed Murray, Mayor of Orange Cove Victor Lopez, Councilman David Couch from City of Bakersfield, Randy Ghan from the Fresno-Kings Counties Central Labor Council, Larry Mapes of Farm Credit West, Bob Keenan of Building Industry Assoc. of Tulare/Kings, Chuck Waide from the Central Labor Council of Kern-Inyo-Mono Counties, Tim Razzari of Razzari Ford, Fred Ruiz of Ruiz Foods, Lionel Pires of TF Tires & Service and Robert Silva of Silva Ford.