Governor’s media release: http://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=18906
The California Assembly approved a $1 billion plan Thursday to bring immediate relief for communities hit hardest by the drought and to move long-term water projects along more quickly.
Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders announced the plan last week, and it now heads to the governor for final approval. The Senate approved the plan Wednesday.
Most of the money — $660 million — would move along flood protection projects from a nearly decade-old bond set to expire next year.
Brown said last week that the flood protection money is necessary to prepare the state for extreme weather patterns associated with climate change and the chance that storms could cause havoc on hard, dry land.
California is well into its fourth year of drought, and the Sierra snowpack is near record lows, meaning runoff into reservoirs this summer will be minimal.
No one disputed the need to address the drought. But Republicans rose to denounce language authorizing a fine of up to $8,000 on people who illegally dam or divert rivers and streams, which Democratic supporters heralded as a weapon for cracking down on marijuana growers who flaunt environmental rules. Opponents said the measure would give government authorities sweeping powers and block landowners or water rights holders from appealing penalties. It passed 50-27.
The plan includes $75 million in immediate aid to provide emergency drinking water, to protect fish and wildlife, and for food assistance — including for farmworkers whose hours were cut because of the drought.