Calif. Governor Pushes $11B Water Bond Plan, Dams

GARANCE BURKE

FRIANT, Calif (AP) — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a far-reaching water bond intended to rebuild California's crumbling water system and fund new dams to save up the precious resource for dry years.

Yet at a time when several Western states are preparing to tear down dams rather than build new ones, the governor acknowledged Monday that he will face hurdles in persuading voters to support the $11 billion measure in November. The proposal was approved by the Legislature last week and signed by the governor on Monday.

In recent months, officials in Oregon, Washington and California have agreed to spend millions to dismantle colossal dams built decades ago in order to protect native fish species, following legal tussles over water between the federal government, environmentalists, Indian tribes and farmers.

In the San Joaquin Valley, where most of the nation's fruits and vegetables are grown, farmers warn their crops will wither if the government doesn't build a second reservoir above Friant Dam, which was built in the 1940s to nurture croplands below.

"For decades, Californians have been fighting about water," Schwarzenegger said. "I've heard the pleas of the people here from this valley, I have heard the pleas of the people of the state of California, and I think the legislators have heard those pleas as well. So I am here to tell all of you help is on the way."