Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will be at Friant Dam at 2 p.m. today to sign the package of water reform bills. The package includes an $11.1 billion bond to build dams and pay for other water infrastructure improvements. The bond will have to be approved by voters at next November's general election. One problem for the governor: The bond contains more than $1 billion in pork, which was added on to get needed votes from lawmakers last week.
Click here to read an Associated Press story about the earmarks in the bond measure.
The Sierra Club is opposing the bond because it contains money for dams. Click here to read the Sierra Club statement.
"LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced that the Tejon Ranch Conservation and Land Use Agreement has won the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) in recognition of the historic conservation pact signed by Tejon Ranch Company (NYSE:TRC) and America’s leading conservation and environmental organizations.
The Governor's Award, California's highest and most prestigious environmental honor, recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership for voluntary achievements in conserving California's resources, protecting and enhancing the environment, and building public-private partnerships. Awards are given in ten categories. The landmark agreement is a winner in the Environmental and Economic Partnerships category...
The agreement between Tejon Ranch Company and Audubon California, Endangered Habitats League, Natural Resources Defense Council, Planning and Conservation League, and the Sierra Club, also created the Tejon Ranch Conservancy, an independent non-profit organization that recently concluded its first year overseeing continued stewardship of the conserved lands."
Perhaps this can be used as a template for predicting the future. The Sierra Club letter did not have the language of a train that would not be picked up and redirected. That the letter is conveniently coupled with the story for us by the Bee makes me suspicious. The Sierra Club can see the handwriting on the wall with the water issue. I believe the appearance of opposition is just part of the game which environmentalists have to play before our green governor hands them the keys in the final "by the way" wrap-up from the other side of the isle. I have already read enough about this pork barrel project that like the Sierra Club is which merely pretending, I will have to be convinced the reservoirs and the surrounding public land will not become the exclusive domain of all the weasals gathering to cut a deal right under our noses, with our votes.
" I will have to be convinced the reservoirs and the surrounding public land will not become the exclusive domain of all the weasals gathering to cut a deal right under our noses, with our votes."
They will try their utmost again. What is so crazy about the whole thing is that without World War II, most of that Westside land would never have been farmed in the first place; and after the war they are being paid for not growing. And if we were to send less water to Los Angeles? OK! Stop screaming at me! hahaha!