California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a statewide drought today. The Governor signed an executive order that could also bring water to San Diego County. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has details.
The governor is directing the state Department of Water Resources to speed water transfers to areas with the worst shortages.
Fern Steiner is board chair of the
San Diego County
Water Authority.
She says the Governor's order means more water for San Diego County.
Steiner: We've been in the process of trying to get water transfers from Northern California to have some extra water down here.
State officials will also help the water authority and other agencies with conservation efforts.
Steiner says that could take the form of various rebates, grants and other assistance.
The drought declaration came after two years of below-average rainfall, low snowmelt runoff and the largest court-ordered restrictions on water transfers in state history.
Schwarzenegger's statewide drought declaration is the first since 1991.
The governor is warning that conditions could be even worse next year.
Ed Joyce, KPBS News.