$687 Million Emergency Drought Aid Plan For California

2/20/2014 3:26 AM ET

With California experiencing its worst water shortage crisis in modern history, the political leaders of the state have announced a $687 million Emergency Drought Legislation package.

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Wednesday joined Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez to announce legislation to immediately help communities deal with the devastating dry conditions affecting California, and provide funding to increase local water supplies in the state.

"This is a call to action. We must all do our part to conserve in this drought," Governor Brown said at a news conference. "The state is doing its part by providing immediate funding for drinking water, food, housing and assistance for water-conserving technologies," he told reporters.

The legislation provides $687.4 million to support drought relief, including money for housing and food for workers directly impacted by the drought, bond funds for projects to help local communities more efficiently capture and manage water and funding for securing emergency drinking water supplies for drought-impacted communities.

In addition, the legislation increases funding for state and local conservation corps to assist communities with efficiency upgrades and reduce fire fuels in fire risk areas. The package also includes $1 million for the Save Our Water public awareness campaign, which will enhance its mission to inform Californians how they can do their part to conserve water.

In addition to the funding provided by the legislation, the bill calls for the California Department of Public Health (DPH) to adopt new groundwater replenishment regulations by July 1, and for the State Water Resources Control Board and the DPH to work on additional measures to allow for the use of recycled water and storm water capture for increasing water supply availability.

The bill also makes statutory changes to ensure existing water rights laws are followed, including streamlined authority to enforce water rights laws and increased penalties for illegally diverting water during drought conditions. The bill also provides the California Department of Housing and Community Development with the greatest flexibility to maximize migrant housing units.

Several of the proposals included in this package were proposed in the Governor's January budget, but will now be expedited.

However, the Republicans are against the plan, which is set to go to the state legislature.

With California facing one of the most severe droughts on record, the Governor declared a drought State of Emergency last month and directed state officials to take all necessary actions to prepare for water shortages. Brown met with President Obama last week for crucial federal support during the ongoing drought, and the state continues to work with federal partners to ensure a coordinated drought response.

by RTT Staff Writer

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