Engage Legislators Now on Climate Resilience Bond by Dave Eggerton May 24, 2024 Voices on Water Creating a climate-resilient California is one of our state’s highest priorities. And what is more important to achieving this goal than improving our ability to manage water in response to exceptionally dry and wet times? California’s water managers are well aware of how to answer this challenge and blunt the impact of weather whiplash. What they need is significant funding at the state level to help them get the job done. Fortunately, a climate resilience bond currently taking shape in the state Legislature could fulfill some of that need, but only if it is focused in large part on water infrastructure needs across the state. To that end, we need ACWA members from all ACWA regions to reach out to their state senators and assembly members. ACWA is urging the Legislature to include $5.75 billion in water infrastructure funding in an $8.5 billion bond. ACWA’s recommended categories include: Dam safety Recycling and desalination Safe drinking water and clean water Ground water management and aquifer recharge Flood protection Regional water conveyance Regional watershed resilience Surface water storage State Water Project improvements Water conservation and water use efficiency ACWA also supports funding for wildfire protection as part of forest health improvement. ACWA members should talk with Legislators now about the need for water infrastructure funding assistance to prepare for wet and dry times. Information about the ACWA funding priorities is available on the ACWA website at acwa.com/bond. From the same webpage, your agency can also join the ACWA-led coalition which is supporting funding for water infrastructure that is critically needed for climate resilience. It makes sense for the State to invest in water now. Water projects are expensive, and the cost will not be going down. Some categories, such as dam safety and flood protection, will avoid future costs and protect public safety. Other categories will help make sure there is a reliable water supply in dry times. Obviously, the governor will play a key role in whether the climate resilience bond makes it to the ballot, but the focus now is on the work at the Legislature. I urge ACWA member agencies to act as soon as they can in reaching out to Legislators. Time is of the essence here, both in terms of the Legislature’s timeline as they prepare a bond for the November 2024 ballot, and as we continue to rely on a water system that was not designed for weather whiplash.
