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A Vote for Estuary Restoration

A $995 million state bond measure for Bay-Delta water supply and restoration programs got a big boost in September when a bill providing $430 million in needed federal matching funds passed both houses of Congress and became part of the continuing budget resolution signed by President Clinton. But it was two months earlier that the bond measure gained a place on California's November ballot as Proposition 204, and that the State Legislature passed SB 900, the Safe, Clean, Reliable Water Supply Act and basis for the bond measure, by a wide margin.

The measure goes much farther than it's voter conscious title-makers would have you think. A large portion of the funding is earmarked for enhancing the estuarine ecosystem, including $390 million for restoration and habitat acquisition measures under CALFED (see opposite).

Prop. 204 also includes $93 million for Central Valley Project Improvement Program projects such as temperature control device at Shasta Dam, spawning bed restoration and improvements to fish passages, as well as $60 million for fish screens and other measures called for in the 1994 Bay-Delta Accord. Watershed protection, wastewater treatment plants, and water recycling facilities would also be funded. Although it provides for flood control projects, the measure does not fund any new water supply facilities. "There's no peripheral canal, no Auburn dam, no environmental disaster hidden in this bill and proposition," says Save the Bay's Barry Nelson. "The bottom line is that it's a strong habitat conservation measure."

Despite its emphasis on conservation, SB900 had unusual support from business, agriculture and urban interests as well as environmentalists. Linda Adams, an aide to Senator Jim Costa (D-Fresno) who sponsored the bill, attributes this support to a widespread recognition that "we will not have a stable water supply if the Delta's environmental issues are not dealt with."

The Northern California Water Association's Rick Golb agrees. "We realize we are all working together toward one goal-to save the Delta-and everybody realizes that financing issues are crucial." Golb adds that he thinks a bond measure was seen as much more attractive than other financing methods, such as taxes or fees.

Contact: Linda Adams (916)445-2206

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