California tackles water woes still confronting Georgia
Out in California, a lengthy drought has forced state legislators to cut a massive deal on water, including mandated conservation, dams and canals and environmental restoration.
SACRAMENTO — Lawmakers capped months of discussions, weeks of tedious negotiations and years of chasing a water deal with approval of major legislation in a marathon session that ended Wednesday as the sun rose.
The package, which includes an $11.1-billion bond that must go before voters, would nudge California in new directions on water policy while giving something to each of the major factions that have warred over the state’s supplies.
The measure, likely to reach the governor’s desk early next week, would establish a statewide program that for the first time would measure if too much water is being pumped from underground aquifers. It mandates an overall 20 percent drop in the state’s per capita water use by 2020 and creates a new, politically appointed council to oversee management of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the state’s water hub….
The package’s broad scope is in part a recognition that the good old days are gone, and that the state must embrace new approaches to meet its water needs.
“This is California slowly and painfully coming to terms with a static water supply,” said Phil Isenberg, a former legislator who has grappled with water issues for years. “There are big problems and [we] have to do a bunch of different things.”
Here in Georgia, the situation is probably just as dire as in California, with policymakers still trying to come to grip with the reality of federal court rulings restricting our use of Lake Lanier. We’re going to need a comprehensive approach to the problem that balances the needs of metro Atlanta with those of the rest of the state and that stresses conservation and the environment along with development and water infrastructure.
However, if the makeup of the 80-member water task force appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue is any clue, that’s not the approach we’re going to get. The membership is dominated by business and corporate leaders, with only four representatives of environmental groups, none of which specialize in water or river issues.
It’s such a Georgia way of doing things, and it doesn’t bode well for the legislative session opening in two months.
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190 comments Add your comment
I Report :-) You Whine :-( Ate Up With Envy mmm, mmmm, mmmmm!
November 5th, 2009
6:57 am
I know where they can get some water. All they can tote.
~~~~~
As Tuesday’s elections showed, support for limited government remains a mainstream position. Deficit-spending makes majorities angry. Leviathan’s tentacles, its rules and regulations, infuriate most Americans. Big bureaucracies are as popular as swine flu. And far more people than not still just want to be left alone.
As it was, the Democrat, Bill Owens, publicly rejected the “public option” on health care and worked hard to present himself as a proponent of a sound fisc. -Quinn Hilyer, AmSpec
Rejected the public option? And won?
Taxpayer
November 5th, 2009
7:09 am
I did not expect anything different from the Republican, Perdue. He just doesn’t know enough to do better (then again, if he did he would not be a Republican anyway) and he’s definitely too old to learn any new tricks, of value that is. These 80 folks just need to be tasked with finding a way to capitalize on all the water that gets deposited on the area during a 500 year flood. Perhaps they can strike up a deal with residents in low lying areas to store water long term in their basements and garages and living rooms, etc., for future use by Georgia’s business elite.
Normal
November 5th, 2009
7:17 am
MR. PRESIDENT, BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!
stands for decibels
November 5th, 2009
7:21 am
The membership is dominated by business and corporate leaders, with only four representatives of environmental groups, none of which specialize in water or river issues.
From that list we have one “Boner, Rex, The Conservation Fund”
Jay, did you check out which environmental issues Mr. Boner specializes in?
Normal
November 5th, 2009
7:28 am
Do you suppose that Californians are showering with friends now? Did I tell you my wife is a Californian? I just love mornings…
Bob
November 5th, 2009
7:29 am
California also has a plan to reduce the defecit, which plan will fail first ? And of course taxpayer blames an old problem on the party never in power until sonny won and the “elite” business line. Taxpayer, do you think GA had drought conditions before repubs took control ? History does repeat itself, during Georgis’a last drought, Joe Frank Harris even held a prayer vigil at the statehouse for rain, maybe instead of praying, taxpayer’s smart dems should have done some planning.
stands for decibels
November 5th, 2009
7:30 am
From downstairs, TP posted:
After all, [health insurance companies] don’t add any more value than a data entry person does.
I’m still waiting for some free-marketeer to explain to me what kind of tangible value to our economy we get from for-profit health insurance companies.
Not health insurance providers; not the pharmaceutical manufacturers. The health insurance industry. Please to explain.
(If you’re not going to contribute anything to Jay’s actual topic of water resource management, which I think we’re all agreed is going to be wanktacular so long as Sonny has any say in the matter, am I right?)
Turd Ferguson
November 5th, 2009
7:31 am
Was watching Kudlow last evening and a guest “talking head” was speculating that Gold will make a run to $2500 per ounce. If not mistaken Gold is curretly $1091.
Thats a huge helping of gravy, if the money, patience and timing is available.
“Play the game, JUST play the game.”
USinUK
November 5th, 2009
7:33 am
“And of course taxpayer blames an old problem on the party never in power until sonny won and the “elite” business line”
dude. defensive much?
Taxpayer wasn’t blaming the problem on the Republicans … just their lame-azz solution. I mean … a blue-ribbon panel?? that’s SO 1980s …
USinUK
November 5th, 2009
7:35 am
TF –
have you read Liar’s Poker?? if not, you should … “those who know, don’t say; those who say, don’t know”
USinUK
November 5th, 2009
7:38 am
dB –
“wanktacular”
I thought it was wanktastic and craptacular …
Marsh
November 5th, 2009
7:42 am
“It’s such a Georgia way of doing things”
The laughing stock of the South…of the US…of the world.
USinUK
November 5th, 2009
7:46 am
Marsh … you seem to forget Alabama (Georgia’s version of “no matter how bad our life is, at least we’re not THEM”)
Marsh
November 5th, 2009
7:47 am
USinUK,
Used to be. Georgia’s got them beat now.
stands for decibels
November 5th, 2009
7:49 am
oops @ 7.30. Meant to write “not health providers” (meaning docs, nurses, affiliated wellness industries.) My bad.
¡Mas cafe, por favor!
Normal
November 5th, 2009
7:50 am
Well, as I remember, the original Mason Dixon northern border of Georgia was supposed to be the Tennessee River. This would include South Chattanooga. I say bring the Georgia National Guard back and invade Tennessee and get what’s rightfully ours back, Sonny!
Otherwise, Sonny, you are going to have to come up with something else.
Hurts the head, doesn’t it?
USinUK
November 5th, 2009
7:52 am
oh … and, while I’m thinking about it …
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SESAME STREET!!!!
mah-nah, mah-nah … do-dooo-do-do-do
mah-nah, mah-nah … do-do-do-do
mah-nah, mah-nah … do-dooo-do-do-do, do-do-do, do-do-do, do-do-do do-do do do do-do do
and
C is for Cookie and that’s good enough for me
and
around and around and around and around …
over
under
through
yay!
Marsh
November 5th, 2009
7:55 am
GOP healthcare bill would extend coverage to only 3 million uninsured Americans
Fine print on all Republican legislation…”If you are not part of the top 5 percent…screw you”
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/budget-monitor-questions-impact-of-gop-health-bill/
Taxpayer
November 5th, 2009
7:55 am
Let’s see, the Republicans are in charge here in Georgia, Bob the Builder. So, using Republican logic, should I point a finger at Obama and declare the Perdue solution to be a result of duress from coping with the fact that Bush is no longer in charge and handling FEMA properly, or what? You leave so much unanswered. By the way, did you know that Perdue was Democrat before he became a Republican.
stands for decibels
November 5th, 2009
7:58 am
Marsh … you seem to forget Alabama
About AL (and MS)–seen this handy-dandy graphic?
It explains a lot.
Normal
November 5th, 2009
8:01 am
Stands @ 7:58 How do they know that if our votes are supposed to be secret?
professional skeptic
November 5th, 2009
8:02 am
Georgia republicans: Task forces. Focus groups. Paid studies. Committees. Multiple overlapping agencies.
Georgia Republicans are the world’s premier experts in the art of political delay tactics. They create a flurry of activity at taxpayer expense to make it appear as though a crucial matter is being “examined”, but then after all the “studying” and “analysis” is done, the final report gets set aside on a shelf to collect dust, until voters or opponents or regulatory officials become vocal about it…
…And then the cycle starts all over. The data is old! We should really study the issue again to make sure we “still got a handle on it!” They’ll spend another few million on additional task forces and focus groups (SEE everybody? We’re on top of things! We’re taking a look at it!), just to kick the can down the hall to the next chump that lands in office (hopefully another family values oriented Republican).
You see, it’s all because Georgia Republicans believe that spending any money whatsoever on any infrastructure — other than roads and interstates — is a cardinal sin. A Georgia Republican’s biggest nightmare is to be the guy in office that has to spend billions of taxpayer dollars on infrastructure. Better to delay, delay, delay than actually bite the bullet and commit necessary resources to find solutions to complex problems.
Transportation? Water Crisis? Atlanta-Marietta-Sandy Springs is the most toxic metro area in the nation? Quick, y’all! Let’s set up another focus group! Get those studies crankin’! Time’s a wastin’!
Indeed it is.
Turd Ferguson
November 5th, 2009
8:03 am
Just passing along the news.
Tech bubble
Housing bubble
Crude oil bubble
On Deck – Comml property bubble.
Next up – Gold bubble.
USinUK
November 5th, 2009
8:04 am
TF –
correction:
on deck: commodities bubble
Marsh
November 5th, 2009
8:05 am
sfd @ 7:58,
That graphic explains it all…leaves no doubt as to where the educated reside.
I love Oregon.
Taxpayer
November 5th, 2009
8:06 am
Now, if what Perdue had done was to hand pick 80 business elite that had both the most to lose if the court-mandated solution is implemented and that had the most to contribute toward a tax-free business-funded trickle-down solution, then I might have something more positive to say regarding an old Democrat-turned-Republican learning some new tricks. I don’t see that happening though.
professional skeptic
November 5th, 2009
8:06 am
I meant to say “fund solutions”, not “find solutions.”
USinUK
November 5th, 2009
8:06 am
Marsh –
I thought Oregon was infested with white supremecists??
stands for decibels
November 5th, 2009
8:08 am
How do they know that if our votes are supposed to be secret?
Well, define “know.” We don’t really know for certain; this information is the result of exit polling, of course. It could be off by a few percentage points, but surely no more.
Here’s the original source of the graphic–if you want to drill down and check the guy’s crosstabs be my guest. Hell, I’d love for it to be incorrect!
Marsh
November 5th, 2009
8:08 am
USinUK @ 8:06,
I’m used to that here.
mike
November 5th, 2009
8:11 am
It’s interesting to see Jay criticize a Republican for a change.
Doggone/GA
November 5th, 2009
8:13 am
“It’s interesting to see Jay criticize a Republican for a change.”
And it’s interesting to see mike criticize Jay for a change
Normal
November 5th, 2009
8:14 am
Wow, Mike said a zinger…
mike
November 5th, 2009
8:17 am
Doggone –
“And it’s interesting to see mike criticize Jay for a change.”
Well to be fair, I am equally critical of Jay’s partisan peers on the right like Glen Beck.
mike
November 5th, 2009
8:23 am
If “environmentalists” were responsible for the restrictions that prevented the Governor from releasing water from Lake Lanier during the drought to protect aquatic species in other states, then I am not too concerned that there are not more of them directing water policy. If environmental restrictions are too inflexible to address water emergencies, we don’t need more of them.
Pennsylvanian
November 5th, 2009
8:25 am
Sonny Perdue is a RINO dork. Confirmed when he refused to back a measure that would allow local communities to vote on Sunday alcohol sales. 80 people is about 79 too many. How many heads does it take to recommend we draw water from the Tennessee River and pipe it to Lake Lanier for storage? I told my buddies in Nashville we are coming for our water. Their response – bring guns.
Dave R.
November 5th, 2009
8:26 am
Apples and oranges, Jay. Apples and oranges.
California’s issues don’t have to go through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, nor does it involve multiple states, nor does it involve Federal judges or Congress. And up until a couple of years ago, you had a governor of a state in this disagreement who was the brother of the President of the U.S. Guess who got the ear of the feds in THAT discussion?
Until Congress can sort this one out, which is where the recent ruling pretty much placed this issue, no amount of negotiation or state water panels are going to move this ball forward.
Angry Black Man
November 5th, 2009
8:29 am
U-n-U
<<< Native Alabamian here.
So whatcha sayin?!!
The only hope for Georgia is Desalinazation, or some way of turning Six Flags into a reservoir.
Paul
November 5th, 2009
8:30 am
Such a critical issue. A good test of where the voters are now – will they pass an $11 billion dollar bond that directly affects them, or are even CA voters so fed up they’ll reject anything? I don’t see how they can’t pass it. Then again….
Reminds me of oil 30 years ago. We have plenty, we won’t run out in my lifetime, I don’t want to do anything to restrict my freedom to choose; what, me worry? Good luck, Georgia.
Oh, and mike 8:17
[[peers on the right like Glen Beck.]]
L-i-b-e-r-t-a-r-i-a-n. Libertarian. Not right Might as well say ‘peers on the left like Glen Beck.’
Just because one likes Toyotas doesn’t mean other cars one doesn’t like are all Hondas.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm!
November 5th, 2009
8:32 am
Sniff, sniff, boo, hoo, hoo, why don’t you hold your breath until you turn purple, little manchild?-
MADISON, Wis. (Reuters) – A year after his historic election, President Barack Obama sought to remind Americans on Wednesday the biggest problems he is grappling with — from the economy to the war in Afghanistan — are the legacy of his predecessor, George W. Bush.-Reuters
Of course, our little coward went round during the campaign making promises about fixing Afghanistan and voted yes during his brief playtime in the Senate on every bailout, massive spending bill and budget, but when it’s a kindergarten world you live in with all your little whiney liberal toddler friends, blame the other guy!!
Yay!!
Being a man is so, ew, disgusting.
USinUK
November 5th, 2009
8:33 am
California issues don’t have to go through the US CoE???
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_nra/ace/ca.htm
while I don’t have the extensive resume in water issues and expertise in the US Army Corps of Engineers that I’m SURE Dave has, this list does seem to indicate that they have their mitts all over a lot of watery projects in that state …
but I’m sure that Dave will elucidate …
Normal
November 5th, 2009
8:34 am
ABM, From the last rains, it looked like Six Flags IS a reservoir.
@@
November 5th, 2009
8:37 am
I can’t recall a time when California DIDN’T have water problems. My personal opinion is that any water they may have get ends up stuck in Jellos. Jerry Brown learned that the hard way. O.K., so malathion won’t kill ‘ya, but it’ll damn sure take the paint off your car.
Too funny!
stands for decibels
November 5th, 2009
8:39 am
Reichsmarshall Limbaugh commands, and Whiner complies:
little manchild?
Taxpayer
November 5th, 2009
8:39 am
Being a man is so, ew, disgusting.
You should consider the opposite of Chastity’s undertaking then. It will help to restore the balance as well.
Angry Black Man
November 5th, 2009
8:40 am
Norm
It seems like that area floods if someone spills a 2lt coke. I think Georgia will have to explore desalination (I don’t know what I was spelling earlier) to provide an ample drinking water supply for not just the Atlanta Metro area, but for the entire state.
Paul
November 5th, 2009
8:40 am
Report/Whine
Someday, someday, the press will have to call him on this.
People get picked for those positions precisely to solve grave problems. When there are severe problems we get a sea change as we saw in November. That’s why voters pick whom they pick.
Not so they can continue to hear, over a year later… ‘well, the guy before me made a real mess…’
No duh. That’s why America picked you. Get on with it.
Brad Steel
November 5th, 2009
8:41 am
Does California’s deal have something to do with the coincidental arrest of Roman Polanski? Ya know, we are lacking a Jack Nicholson to help us fix things here in GA.
Dave R.
November 5th, 2009
8:42 am
USinUk, if California is planning projects regarding water with a bond issue, then they either have Corp of Engineers permission already (again, something we don’t have due to federal and Congressional mandates), or the Corp does not have jurisdiction over their water plans. In case you didn’t know (which would be typical of you) the Corp doesn’t control every aspect of water, especially underground aquifers.
Intellectual enlightenment is not at the end of an internet link. You’ll find that out someday – maybe.
Paul
November 5th, 2009
8:44 am
Report/Whine
Y’know, we saw a huge shift in the Independents in VA and NJ. If voters keep seeing the same big problems – the economy – and what they get used to hearing, over and over and over, is “remember, the guy before me made a big mess….’
they may just say, ‘well, if it’s too much for you and your fellow Democratic incumbents, we’ll vote for someone else.”
Something to watch -