Ah-nold Declares Drought Emergency; 15% Chance That Weather Will Replenish Reserves - SJMN

[hatrack]

SACRAMENTO — Citing a third consecutive year of drought conditions, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Friday declared a state of emergency and called on urban residents to cut their water usage by 20 percent.

The announcement could intensify talks in the Capitol about upgrading the state's water infrastructure — a contentious debate that has pitted environmentalists who favor conservation against proponents of building new dams to boost supplies. Negotiations in the Legislature have stalled repeatedly in recent years over the issue of dams.

The governor's proclamation directs state agencies to expedite water transfers to needy areas, take measures to ensure water supplies to farmers and streamline environmental regulations for projects, such as desalination and water recycling plants, that could help alleviate the drought. The governor said drought conditions are causing enormous financial harm to the state's agriculture industry and businesses. Losses to California farmers could approach $3 billion this year, he said.

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Despite heavy rainfall this month, state water officials say there is only a 15 percent chance that California will replenish its diminished water supply caused by the past few years of below average rain and snowfall. Storage levels in the state's reservoir system are at historic lows, they say. Schwarzenegger in June declared that California had reached a state of drought. Friday's announcement ramps up the sense of urgency even more, and could cause water districts around California to take more aggressive steps to clamp down on water use.

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http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11801625

[Cleita]

1. So I'm driving around Pismo Beach yesterday and although the houses have

small back yards, they still have front lawns. Grass lawns are very water thirsty. It's time for Californians to start planting drought tolerant yards. I'm converting my yard to plants that only need to be watered once a month in the summer and can get by with what little rainfall we are getting these days in the winter. I'm also laying down soakers that don't waste the water sprinklers do. I only have a small garden in the back that I grow roses and annuals that need more frequent watering. There are many attractive plants and landscape ideas that can replace lawns. Arnold needs to use his publicity and commercial making savvy to put out commercials with landscape experts explaining to home owners how to go about doing this and changing at least this one water wasting activity. Also, with what is called a xeriscape landscape plan, the gardens are hardier, last longer and require less maintenance.