| USA. San Diego endorses Proposition 84 to preserve California's water & land resources |
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| Friday, 18 August 2006 | |
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Environmental news: A diverse, bipartisan group of San Diego leaders and organizations have come out in early support of Proposition 84 -- the Clean Water, Parks and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006. Mayor Jerry Sanders, one of California's most respected, big city mayors, is among a number of San Diego supporters that also includes: San Diego County Water Authority, San Diego Coastkeeper, San Diego Natural History Museum, the Alliance for Habitat Conservation (a coalition of large landowners and home builders), State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny, State Senator Christine Kehoe, and San Diego City Councilman Benjamin Hueso. The $5.4 billion bond measure, slated for the November 2006 statewide ballot, would provide critically needed funds to ensure the availability of safe drinking water, improve local water supply reliability, strengthen flood protection, and preserve California's natural landscapes, including parks, lakes, rivers, beaches, bays, ocean and coastline. "San Diego is one of the most beautiful cities in America, and its leaders clearly recognize that to stay that way, the city must make critical investments into its natural resources. I commend San Diego and Mayor Sanders for their leadership on this critical issue," said Michael Mantell, Campaign Chairman for Proposition 84. These San Diego leaders are an important part of the rapidly growing bipartisan coalition of more than 250 statewide leaders and organizations that support Proposition 84, including: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, League of California Cities, Western Growers Association, Association of California Water Agencies, California Business Properties Association and the California Coastal Coalition. Specific benefits of Proposition 84 for the San Diego area include: $27 million to clean up and protect the San Diego Bay and its watersheds; $91 million for integrated water management efforts in San Diego; $36 million for the All-American and Coachella Canals Lining programs; $7 million to implement the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species plan; and $47 million for the Salton Sea Restoration. In addition to these dedicated funds, San Diego area interests can also apply for additional funding within the Integrated Regional Water Management category (total of $1 billion), Safe Drinking Water funds (total of $240 million) and would indirectly benefit from investments made in statewide water planning (surface storage planning & feasibility), water quality and flood protection/levee improvements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta. "Proposition 84 is timely, as it provides much-needed funding to help protect our beaches and ocean, including coastal storm water and contamination cleanup programs," said State Senator Christine Kehoe. "San Diego can benefit from these funds, and also be eligible to receive new funding to help pay for mandated programs to improve and ensure drinking water quality and reliability." Proposition 84 will provide much needed investments into these natural infrastructures, while providing strict fiscal accountability provisions, such as yearly independent audits and a citizen's oversight committee. A non-partisan coalition of broad interests, Californians for Clean Water, Parks and Coastal Protection, has been created and mobilized to support Proposition 84. To obtain more information or join as a supporter, please visit www.YesOn84.com Paid for by Californians for Clean Water, Parks and Coastal Protection/Yes on 84: a coalition of conservation groups, The Nature Conservancy and the California Conservation Action Fund |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 18 August 2006 ) |
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