Eight of 11 water storage projects seeking funding from a bond measure approved by voters in 2014 advanced to the next phase of the approval process run by the California Water Commission. After hearing staff recommendations, project applicants and comments from the public during three days of meetings in Sacramento last week, the Commission released its list of eligible approved amounts on May 3. Proposition 1, the 2014 measure, authorized $2.7 billion for investments in new water projects. The California Chamber of Commerce supported the water bond based on the water storage component. The Commission explained that Proposition 1 funds the public benefit aspects of water storage projects, specifically ecosystem improvement, water quality improvement, flood control, recreation and emergency response. To receive funding, applicants for Proposition 1 funding must detail the public benefits, along with a measurable benefit for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Importance of Storage As reiterated by project applicants in last week’s meetings, storage is needed to control the amount and timing of water flowing through the Delta to meet endangered species requirements, which affects the amount of contracted water available for farmers and cities downstream. Storage capacity also provides the opportunity to store more water in wet [...]
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