California is facing enormous population growth in the coming years, with 25 million new residents expected by 2040. But our investment in infrastructure is not keeping pace with our population growth. Current funding for natural resources and environmental protection programs is critically low. In fact, funding for resources makes up less than 1% of the overall state budget. We must make the investments needed to ensure that all Californians will have access to safe drinking water, better protection from floods and opportunities to enjoy parks, natural landscapes and our rivers, lakes, beaches, bays and coastline.

A broad coalition of interests – water districts, conservation and environmental groups, local government entities, museum and park interests, elected officials, and civic organizations – has been formed to support the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond, a $5.4 billion statewide bond measure slated for the November 2006 ballot.

Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Water Supply
This measure will provide critically needed funding for programs that will help ensure safe drinking water for all Californians by cleaning up polluted waters and protecting them from further contamination. The measure will dedicate funds to protect the water quality of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta— the source of drinking water for 23 million Californians. In addition, the measure will provide funds to assist each region of California in improving local water supply reliability and local water quality.

Protection of Rivers, Lakes and Streams
The health of California's rivers, lakes and streams is continually threatened by pollution, reduced water quality, and destruction of fish and wildlife habitats. This measure will provide funding to develop river parkways, restore and protect urban streams, and keep contaminated stormwater runoff out of our rivers, lakes and streams.

Protection of Beaches, Bays and Coastal Waters
California's coastline is one of the most beautiful parts of the state, but coastal areas are being harmed by overdevelopment and toxic pollution that flows out of storm drains, resulting in beach closures and public health and safety threats. This measure will fund programs that protect and clean up California's magnificent coastline, and will also fund projects and programs aimed at protecting the San Francisco, Monterey, Santa Monica and San Diego bays and their watersheds. In addition, this measure provides funding for the Ocean Protection Trust Fund, which will support projects that protect California's threatened marine resources.

Flood Control
Over the next 50 years there is a two-in-three chance that an earthquake or a storm will damage California's six thousand miles of vulnerable levees. A disaster of this kind could result in the loss of lives and homes and could leave 23 million Californians without reliable drinking water. This bond measure would strengthen flood protection in order to avoid these kinds of devastating disasters. It will provide for funding the identification and mapping of high-risk flood areas, and the inspection and repair of levees and flood control facilities. By planning, designing and implementing multi-objective flood corridor projects, this measure will reduce future flood risk and maximize public benefits.

State and Local Parks and Public Access to Natural Resources
All Californians deserve access to our state's natural resources, yet our state and local park systems are currently unable to take on the challenges that arise in a rapidly-growing society. This bond measure will include projects that will expand and restore the state park system to reflect the state's growing population and shifting population centers. This measure will also provide funding for the creation of local and regional parks especially in communities that are park-poor. In addition, it will fund the development of nature education opportunities at institutions including, natural history museums, aquariums, research facilities and botanical gardens.

Wildlife and Forest Conservation
California's wildlife and forests as well as its farms and ranches are under direct threat from the state's rapid population growth. This measure will fund the programs needed to protect California's forests, wildlife as well as preserve working forests, farms and ranches.

Sustainable Communities: Preparing for Population Growth and Climate Change
California's rise in population and the impacts of climate change pose significant challenges. These challenges must be addressed through careful planning and improvements in our land use and water management systems. This bond measure will help California prepare for the challenges that lie ahead while improving the livability of our cities and communities through programs to re-design California's water and flood control systems. The programs included in this measure will support the greening of our cities, schools and neighborhoods, while stimulating investments in water use efficiency and conservation to reduce energy consumption.

For more information, visit the Yes on 84 campaign website.

Photos courtesy of USDA