Governor Schwarzenegger Declares State of Emergency

Governor Schwarzenegger declared a drought emergency in nine Central Valley counties yesterday. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) and local water authorities will pump groundwater into the California Aqueduct. Additionally the DWR will help drill wells and expedite water transfers between the different water agencies. There are conservation measures being proposed as well as attempts to increase supply.

The water districts in Riverside County, in Southern California's message: "Save now, before it is too late." Richard Atwater from the Inland Empire Utilities Agency reports that this year is bad, but next year may require rationing if there is another shortfall in rainfall and snow pack.

However the conservation measures by residents will have a limited effect because the biggest user of water is the multi-billion dollar agricultural industry in California. The water from the aqueduct provides them with cheap water that is better than the water in the aquifers. One farmer described the ground water from his farm as so salty that it is potentially toxic to his trees.

The governor also used this as an another chance to promote his $11.9 billion dollar water plan. The proponents of the water plan want more surface storage, which will take years to construct. Opponents on the other side are looking for more rigorous conservation. A dry, hot summer may sway voters to vote for the dream that may take a while to be realized.

A good SF Chronicle article can he found here.
A good Fresno Bee article can be found here.

President Bush Signs Executive Order Requiring Federal Contractors to Verify Employees

The Bush Administration has jumped into the illegal immigration issue again by issuing an Executive Order that requires Federal contractors to enroll in the E-Verify Program. The E-Verify Program is a collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Agency that verifies that "the information provided by the employee on their Form I-9, the contained in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) databases is consistent. I hope that the databases are better than the "no fly list".

Federal government contractors will be required to use E-Verify to verify the work authorization of all new hires and existing personnel assigned to perform work on future federal contracts, according to an executive order issued June 6 by President Bush. It is unknown if this order will affect subcontractors as well. DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff will be in charge of writing and implementing the rule. But it is unknown how long this rule will be in effect as the next president can issue another executive order rescinding this one.

According to amended Executive Order 12989, "adherence to the general policy of contracting only with providers that do not knowingly employ unauthorized alien workers and that have agreed to utilize an electronic employment verification system designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security to confirm the employment eligibility of their workforce will promote economy and efficiency in Federal procurement."

More on this topic can be found on the Building Trades website.

Billions for Green Building for Schools Passes the House of Representatives

The Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD) of the AFL-CIO posted this article about potential federal funds for Green Building for schools. Last week the House of Representatives passed HR 3021, which authorized $6.4 billion in fiscal 2009 to build environmentally friendly public schools and an additional $500 million over five years to help reconstruct public schools damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

However the Administration is set to veto the bill if it makes it through the Senate, because the President believes that school construction decisions should stay local. I don't follow the logic. When I hear that extra funds are available, I believe the local and state schools can decide pursue those funds or not. I guess somehow providing resources and opportunities some how restricts choice in the eyes of the Executive.

Also the bill requires the payment of the Federal Prevailing Wage also known as, Davis Bacon, on the projects.

The article can be found here.

Recycled Water Can Help Mitigate Effects of the Drought

Water supply evidently is going to be a major issue in the near and distant future. One community in the Bay Area, Daly City, has invested in a recycled water plant that helps them to reuse the irrigation water at its golf courses. Other cities might want to take heed.

Since agriculture takes so much of our water supply it may be wise for them to use it more efficiently. But as the post about the Governor's drought declaration with out teeth highlights, there is no carrot or stick for the farmers to become more efficient.

The article can be found here.

Governor Schwarzenegger Declares a Drought in California

Governor Schwarzenegger last week declared a drought for the State of California, but this seems to be an empty declaration. Instead of declaring a state of emergency and mandatory rationing , the Governor is using the declaration to push his plan for $11.9 billion water plan.

The Governor and the Legislature are proposing two different water plans. The Governor is pushing for a plan that includes dams, surface storage and a "Peripheral Canal" around the San Francisco Delta. The Legislature is looking at mandatory usage goals and infrastructure improvements. However, nothing that seems to meet the challenge we may be facing later this summer.

Check out California's water supply statistics:

The final snowpack measurement last month was at 67 percent of normal, and runoff into rivers was 55 percent of normal.

A good article can be found here that goes over some of the details of the declaration.

As for me I am going to cut back on what I use "voluntarily".