Dive Brief:
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Contractors can’t build new reservoirs fast enough to beat the effects of California’s four-year-old drought.
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The Los Angeles Times has reported that the state’s Republican legislators are trying to expedite the planned construction of a number of reservoirs that will be paid for with a $7.5 billion water bond approved by voters in November. But as of Monday, the proposal was stalled in an assembly panel by Democrats.
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The GOP lawmakers proposed bill AB 311 to streamline environmental reviews so the building can begin as soon as the guidelines are released. The measure, however, was opposed by environmentalists and Democrats, as they said they didn't want to shortcut environmental reviews and give "preferential treatment" to certain projects.
Dive Insight:
The Republican legislators have said jump-starting the building of reservoirs is at least as important as putting the construction of the Sacramento Kings’ new arena on a fast track, and have pointed to laws the General Assembly passed to make that happen.
"If it's good enough for a sports arena, it's darn good enough for projects that will increase water supply for Californians," Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen told The LA Times.
Farmers and others have accused the state of not making a priority out of the delivery of water to their land, the newspaper reported.