Time for Water Reform is Now

Assemblymember Jean Fuller

Last month, I joined thousands of Californians at a rally in Huron. Congressman Devin Nunes and Comedian Paul Rodriguez organized the rally to bring national attention to the growing economic devastation brought upon the State of California by the “man-made” drought.

As I stood among the many family farmers, farm workers, and their children in heat topping 105 degrees, it struck me that this water crisis has become far more than a partisan issue. The crowd that gathered was not Republican or Democratic; those gathered there were Californians desperate for a solution and a voice. These hard working, responsible people have seen their livelihoods threatened, and in some cases destroyed.

With the Legislature back in session, lawmakers are holding hearings to address California’s worsening water crisis.

We know we have no time to lose, as this crisis is having a significant impact on the Valley economy, especially agriculture. A recent study by UC Davis found that this year’s water reduction will cause the loss of 95,000 jobs and $2.8 billion in economic activity. The crisis is so severe that communities like Mendota have seen unemployment soar to over 40 percent, and more families asking for food aid because of the lack of jobs.

Farm workers, local leaders and groups such as the California Latino Water Coalition have continued to rally throughout the state calling for the Legislature to act after years of delay. They know all too well that the state’s failure to upgrade its aging water infrastructure has hurt too many families.

As the Valley experiences the third straight year of drought and significant court-ordered water reductions from the Delta, the Legislature must work together to secure California’s water future with a comprehensive plan. I’ve joined Governor Schwarzenegger in calling for a plan that includes additional above-ground storage, stronger conservation and improved water conveyance from wetter Northern California to the drier South.

This past week, I was appointed by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass as a member of the bipartisan and bicameral Water Conference Committee, charged with crafting a comprehensive water solution for California’s future. It’s encouraging to see both parties approach our water crisis with the great urgency the problem demands, and I am hopeful that we will be able to find common ground soon on a comprehensive solution– including the above-ground storage and conveyance that I believe is essential to meeting the needs of Central Valley families and farmers.

What the Legislature must not do is punt our problems to the future. We cannot allow the process to be hijacked by special interests who want to maintain the status quo. Now is not the time for more studies that tell us what we already know.

With very little time left in the legislative session, I am fighting hard to pass a comprehensive plan that works for the Valley and puts our state back on track. Such a plan is essential for our economy, for jobs and our quality of life. We have to act now!

Assemblywoman Jean Fuller is the Vice Chair of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, and represents the 32nd Assembly District, which includes Bakersfield, Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, Taft, Kern River Valley and the Frazier Mountain communities.