Congresswoman Matsui Statement on new California Water Bond

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 14, 2014

CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Statement on new California Water Bond

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) issued the following statement on the Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014, the comprehensive water bond measure, which the California legislature passed and Governor Brown signed into law last night. The bond measure will be on November's ballot:

"I am pleased that Governor Brown has signed a new $7.5 billion water bond with state legislators offering near unanimous support. If approved by voters, the bond will facilitate investments in local water supply projects, groundwater storage, as well as safe drinking water for all Californians. Our state has been dealing with a severe three-year drought, which has greatly impacted our economy and water supply across the state. This crisis will only get worse if we do not act. We need smart, creative solutions that will invest in sustainable water projects, protect the Delta, and provide storage for additional water supply. This bond helps on many of those fronts.

"The bond provides nearly $3 billion for water recycling, storm water capture, water efficiency and a wide variety of water supply projects and, importantly, does not provide funding for the controversial Bay-Delta Conservation Plan, which is crucial for my support and for many of us in Northern California. This bond represents a diverse set of interests that together will protect our environment, improve our economy, and unite the state in addressing California's water problems.

"Environmentalists, business interests, Democrats and Republicans believe that this water bond is a bipartisan and effective response to the drought. Governor Brown, Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Senator Lois Wolk and their colleagues deserve credit for fashioning a water bond that meets the needs of our state."

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