You remember the old wild west saying, "whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting over." Well, the California general election is 11 months away and already the water maneuvering has started.
California's water supply agency announced that urban areas and irrigation districts can expect only five percent of their contracted water allotments in 2010 due to the ongoing drought and environmental restrictions.
The allocation is the lowest since the agency stared in 1967 and reflects the worst drought in the State's history. Federally mandated restrictions on water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to protect endangered fish (Chinook Salmon and Smelt) have compounded the problem.
The California legislature took a major step forward earlier this month to address the State's water needs, passing the most comprehensive water package in California history.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said that the $11 billion bond is the greatest investment that could be made in the future of California given that its current water system was built to serve only 18 million people and now serves 38 million people.
But those seeking office are using the State's water problems as a wedge issue. Water cutbacks in the State's Central Valley gives office seekers like Carly Fiorina (seeking the republican nomination for Barbara Boxer's seat), and Meg Whitman who is seeking the governors mansion, a chance to favor farmers.
They're paying very, very close attention," Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia, said of the myriad GOP candidates for statewide office. "I've taken calls from all of them; they all want to know about it."
Barbara Boxer could be in for a tough fight. The longtime environmental champion will need to show Central Valley farmers that she feels their pain if she is to keep her seat. Although she can always point out that environmental protections only account for one quarter of restrictions this year and the rest results from...ah...living in a desert...duh!
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