Dan Walters: New reserviors would have caught California rain

From the Sacramento Bee

By Dan Walters
Published: Sunday, Mar. 8, 2009 – 2:00 am | Page 3A

Nine days ago, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a statewide “drought emergency,” citing a third winter of subnormal precipitation and the precariously low levels of major reservoirs.

“Even with the recent rainfall, California faces its third consecutive year of drought and we must prepare for the worst – a fourth, fifth or even sixth year of drought,” Schwarzenegger said. It’s rained quite a bit since he uttered those words, either an ironic quirk of nature or a testament to the governor’s persuasive powers.

The late winter rains may be a welcome, albeit partial, relief from the looming water crisis, but as Schwarzenegger also said on Feb. 27: “This is a crisis, just as severe as an earthquake or raging wildfire, and we must treat it with the same urgency by upgrading California’s water infrastructure to ensure a clean and reliable water supply for our growing state.”

For more see: http://www.sacbee.com/walters/story/1681184.html