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Gov. Brown and Legislature Proposes $1-billion Water Plan for Calif.03-24-15 | News

Gov. Brown and Legislature Proposes $1-billion Water Plan for Calif.

The U.S. Drought Monitor report released May 19, 2015 shows large expanses of California in "exceptional" drought, with the rest of the state in "extreme" or "severe" drought. Western Nevada and eastern Oregon share some of those drought superlatives.

On March 19, 2015, Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown and prominent state legislators announced a $1-billion water plan for the state. California is in its fourth straight year of draught. The majority of the money is earmarked for water-related infrastructure, including $660 million for flood-control projects, and $272.7 million water recycling and desalination. According to the governor's office, the legislative package would funnel $128 million for direct assistance to workers and communities most impacted by the drought, and to implement the California Water Action Plan. In 2014, Brown earmarked $687.4-million in drought funding for communities facing acute water shortages.

Except for a couple days of cold air that sweep through Southern California, and a few brief rains, the southland has largely experience summer like weather this "winter." The snow pack in the Sierra Nevada is near-record lows (at 12 percent of average), and precipitation levels for the state are 10 inches below normal.

Precipitation in Northern California is 81 percent of normal. State reservoir levels have improved slightly from last year: Lake Shasta, the largest reservoir in the state, is 58 percent full, compared with 45 percent a year ago. Lake Oroville is half full, compared with 45 percent last year.

The Calif. State Water Board has told urban agencies to limit the number of days residents can water their yards, although Los Angels has restricted watering to three days a week since 2009. The board warned it could impose stricter limits if local agencies don't follow through on water conservation efforts.

A new statewide poll commissioned by the Association of Calif. Water Agencies in partnership with Save Our Water, indicates the majority of Californians think the drought is the most pressing problem facing the state.