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Statewide Drought Declared in California

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed a statewide drought. The Governor issued an executive order today directing a state agency to supply water to areas with severe shortages. KPBS

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed a statewide drought. The Governor issued an executive order today directing a state agency to supply water to areas with severe shortages. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

The drought proclamation comes after two years of below-average rainfall, low snowmelt runoff and the largest court-ordered restrictions on water transfers in state history.

The state Department of Water Resources will now speed water transfers to areas facing severe shortages.

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Schwarzenegger also ordered state officials to help local water districts with water conservation efforts and directed them to help farmers suffering losses from the drought.

Dry conditions are damaging crops, harming water quality and causing extreme fire danger across the state.

Many communities already are requiring water conservation or rationing.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.