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(Part 2 in a Series) –by R.J. Latronico
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In our last issue we looked at California’s aging levee
system. Levees are important for several reasons. California
needs to control flooding and be able to store water for
domestic and agricultural use. The other, equally important
part of the levee equation is dams. Dams tend to separate two
very important things: raging waters from controlled
irrigation flows and environmentalists from farmers. It would
seem that the process of getting a dam built should not be too
difficult a task. Logically, it would progress as follows:
1. First you need to rally the
support of constituents and elected officials. (Making sure
everyone is on board with the need for a new dam – including
farmers, environmentalists, developers,
etc.)
2. Next you need to complete a
very comprehensive study – usually done via the Bureau of
Reclamation. NOTE: Although this study is already pretty far
along, it will take at least another year and a half to
complete.
3. Then you need to find
funding (usually a very large bond measure). NOTE: In this
bond about $4 billion was included to repair our levees.
4. Lastly, you need to complete the
engineering and get it built. (Always realizing that cost
estimates and prevailing wages are never what they start out
to be.)
ON TEMPERANCE FLAT DAM
Water is, and
has been, a top local issue for Congressman Devin Nunes of the
21st Congressional District, here in Tulare County. Nunes
knows all about the topic of water since his family runs a
dairy operation in Tulare County. Congressman Nunes was kind
enough to offer some important insight to our story when I
telephoned him in Washington, D.C.
Congressman Nunes
informed Influentials Magazine that the U.S. Congress will
still need to officially authorize the Temperance Flat Dam
project after the comprehensive study is completed. This dam
would essentially prevent almost any chance of flooding due to
the San Joaquin River overflowing its banks.
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ROAD BLOCKS:
Yes, even when dealing
with water projects there are roadblocks:
-Assembling
enough votes for passage is tough
-They are usually very
expensive, and
-They tend to polarize people (growth vs.
anti-growth)
And sometimes even our elected officials
don’t see eye to eye on the need for them. NOTE: Only one of
our two California Senators, Dianne Feinstein, supports the
new dam project.
ONE STEP FORWARD–TWO STEPS BACK! HERE’S WHAT’S
HAPPENING ON THE STATE LEVEL
The state Senate in
late May decided to shake things up politically with Gov.
Schwarzenegger when they voted along party lines to overhaul
the California Reclamation Board (Gov. Schwarzenegger replaced
the seven-member board appointed by former Gov. Gray Davis
last September).
Most of the current board has links to
developers or land interests in or adjacent to the area the
board governs. Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, who authored the
bill, said that the board’s pro-development push has been
incongruous with Gov. Schwarzenegger’s campaign for better
flood protection.
The California Senate’s 23-11 vote
signaled a victory for taking back control of the board from
developers. The board will add two additional members and will
be granted broad authority to review plans in the
Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. The board is now named the
Central Valley Flood Protection Board. Stay tuned for more
developments.
It’s not quite water under the bridge, yet!
To express your opinion on this issue you can call or write
your local representatives or you can e-mail us at VPI
magazine.
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