RANCHO CORDOVA, CALIF. (AP) - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar urged California on Wednesday to modernize its antiquated water system, while pledging $260 million in federal stimulus money to help finance projects aimed at relieving the state’s water woes.
California’s massive system of reservoirs, pumps and canals, built a half century ago, was designed for a population half the size of the state’s 37.7 million, Salazar said after a helicopter tour of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
The delta, which provides water to nearly two-thirds of all Californians, has become a highly troubled resource. Three years of below-average precipitation have wreaked havoc on its habitat and water supply. Urban and agricultural pollution are problems.
Salazar said the federal government was ready to help California overhaul its system and deal with its drought.
“It is time to modernize, it is time to make hard choices and it’s time for the federal government to re-engage in full partnership with the 21st century water system for the state of California,” he said.
The $260 million is part of $1 billion announced by the Bureau of Reclamation for water projects intended to create jobs across the West.
California’s share will finance such projects as new wells for farms and cities, temporary water lines to help feed orchards and grape vines year round and rock barriers to improve water quality in the delta.
An additional $135 million will be available to all states for water recycling projects.
“By themselves, these investments cannot and will not solve all the problems we face, but they are a first step,” Salazar said at a news conference.
Two months ago, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state emergency because of California’s drought. That order directed state agencies to provide assistance to drought-affected communities and businesses. It also called for a statewide conservation campaign.
The state has said it will deliver only a portion of the water typically allocated for cities and farms this year.
Schwarzenegger, who accompanied Salazar on the aerial tour, reiterated his call to build more dams and urged state lawmakers to place a water bond on next year’s ballot. He also favors building a canal to pipe river water around the delta, an idea rejected by voters in 1982.
Salazar declined to endorse building new dams or a canal. He did rule out suspending federal environmental laws, as some members of California’s Republican congressional delegation have suggested in an attempt to funnel more water to farmers.
“That is not the solution here,” Salazar said. “The solution that we’re looking at is one that is going to have to be comprehensive in nature that takes into account the huge variations you’re seeing in water supply.”
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