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November 10, 2007
Redondo
Beach Chamber Supports Need For 2008 Water Bond
The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Bureau is
urging its local legislators to support the placement of a
water bond on the February 2008 ballot. The much needed bond
is coming at a time when the Delta, the central hub for the
state’s water, needs upgrading to meet water demands
throughout the state because of population growth.
“The Redondo Beach Chamber realizes this is an important
issue for the business community,” stated Marna Smeltzer,
President/CEO of the Chamber. “Without a reliable water
transportation system, businesses may be forced to relocate
because of our geographical location,” continued Smeltzer.
California’s water infrastructure has endured water demand
increases and is now susceptible to disasters like
earthquakes, drought and other major catastrophes. And over
the past three decades, no significant new water
infrastructure has been built to keep up with our growing
times. The water supply needs to be protected in order to
safeguard the drinking water and how it’s being delivered
throughout California.
A water infrastructure bond should provide the funding
necessary to address the following critical issues:
Infrastructure Improvements in the Delta
The Delta
supplies drinking water for 25 million Californians,
hundreds of thousands of businesses and 750,000 acres of
farmland. The Delta, which is extremely susceptible to
natural disasters, is in desperate need of improvements to
ensure reliable transport of water throughout the state. If
there were an earthquake, for example, it is estimated Delta
water would be curtailed for two years, choking all who
depend on it. Immediate action and long term improvements
are needed now.
Build Additional Storage Facilities
Temperatures are
predicted to rise in the coming years, reducing the state’s
snow pack and water supply. We need to invest in water
storage facilities now to capture water and ensure that we
have available supply of safe, quality water in dry years to
meet the needs of residents, businesses, agriculture and the
environment.
Improve Water Quality
A clean, safe,
reliable source of drinking water is a necessity of life.
Already, water quality in the Central Valley has suffered
because of drought conditions and overdraft of underground
aquifers. Depleting supplies elsewhere in the state puts
other residents at risk not to mention planning for the half
a million new residents in California each year.
“We need to fix this problem now before any major natural
disasters strike,” stated Charles Gale, Jr., Chair of the
Chamber’s Government Relations Council. “The economic
vitality of our area will be at stake if there is an
interruption to the water system in California,” continued
Gale.
Click here
to contact the Redondo Beach Chamber
for more
information
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