Governor Schwarzenegger is ordering the state to take steps to improve conditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. That's an area where San Diego gets much of its drinking water, as well as 20 million other Californians. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.
The governor has asked the Department of Water Resources to beef up efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species in the delta. He also wants to stockpile supplies there to fight a possible flood or other disaster. The vulnerable area is key to transporting water through the state. Schwarzenegger says these are just a short-term fixes, and a long-term solution is a necessity.
Schwarzenegger: By protecting the delta, we will make sure California has all the safe and reliable water that it needs, not only for today, but for 20-30 years down the road.
The state is also installing fish screens to protect the Delta Smelt. That's the endangered fish that gets killed in the state's pumps – and led to them being shut down for more than a week this year. Governor Schwarzenegger says he hopes to work out a long-term water plan this year – but he's at odds with Democrats over how to increase water storage.
In Sacramento, I’m Marianne Russ.
