SACRAMENTO – In a letter to Governor Jerry Brown, the California State Senate’s Majority Caucus urge collaboration and list precise steps to help the state confront the historic drought crisis.
Signed by all 25 Democratic Senators, including Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León, the letter asks for immediate drought relief funding and recommends tools for equipping communities in their water conservation efforts. The Senators also articulate several areas where state agencies can marshal resources to preserve water supplies more effectively.
Some of the recommendations (full details here) made to the Governor include:
- Increase and expedite drought relief funding
- Require state agencies to immediately adopt rules for bond funds
- Create new incentives for the agriculture industry to use water more efficiently
- Provide better guidance to local water purveyors when updating tiered water rate ordinances
- Increase public access to information on water usage
- Adopt resilient landscapes and water efficiency measures at all state facilities
- Increase use of greywater recycling systems in residential areas
- Consider appointing a Water Czar to better coordinate water conservation efforts
- Hold a water technology summit for California’s innovators
Read the full letter here.
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