The Nature Conservancy: Water Bond Proposal Opens the Door to End California’s Water Crisis

SACRAMENTO, CA — July 11, 2008 — The Nature Conservancy today released the following statement of support for Governor Schwarzenegger's and Senator Dianne Feinstein's efforts to address California's water issues.

"California’s water supply system is broken and the people and fish that depend on it are hurting with no relief in sight. We are very encouraged by the bond proposal put forth by Governor Schwarzenegger and Senator Feinstein. This proposal would help address many of the critical water issues facing California,” said Mike Sweeney, executive director for The Nature Conservancy’s California program. “We hope the Legislature will use this proposal as the basis for negotiations and work to place a carefully considered, comprehensive measure on the November ballot.”

Over a span of nearly fifty years, The Nature Conservancy has protected and restored more than one million acres of California’s most important lands and waters. With climate change at our doorstep, a relentlessly growing population and an expanding drought at hand, these habitats and the life that depends on them will rise or fall largely on how Californians address the water crisis. The Nature Conservancy is a key participant in many of California’s major water planning efforts including the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, Delta Vision and the California Water Plan Update.

“Developing a workable water bond measure is crucial; however, there are urgent issues that need immediate attention,” continued Sweeney. "The Legislature is considering a bill, SB 1xx by Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, which would allocate nearly $1 billion of existing bond funds to address some of the most pressing concerns of the water crisis. We strongly urge the Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, this measure as soon as possible so we can begin to repair our fragile Delta and improve the reliability of California’s water supply.”

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.