Calif. drought-relief bill being fast-tracked
Boat slips in Folsom Lake during the 1976 drought. Photo/California Department of Water Resources
By Rory Carroll, Reuters
California’s senate leader is preparing a $644 million emergency drought relief bill designed to quickly fund shovel-ready projects to combat the state’s severe water shortage, according to a draft of the bill.
The wide-ranging effort would fast-track water supply projects, speed up funding for expanded use of recycled water and stormwater capture projects, and better monitor and manage groundwater resources.
California is facing its worst drought in decades. State officials have said it is likely to force for the first time a complete cutoff this year in state-supplied water sold to 29 irrigation districts, public water agencies and municipalities up and down the state.