Release Immediate
Date:  July 16, 2007

Contact:  Dan Nelson
(209) 826-9696

Statement by Dan Nelson, San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority Executive Director, in response to Gov. Schwarzenegger's press conference scheduled this morning at San Luis Reservoir---

"The Governor's proposed water plan to build more reservoirs and a conveyance system around the Delta is essential for California.

"Water reservoirs and conveyance systems that have moved water to areas of need in California have been the cornerstone of an ever-increasing economy.  Water received through this distribution system, both on and off the farm, has enabled businesses to grow and California residents to enjoy a valued lifestyle.

"The current reservoir and conveyance system has been pushed to its limit, as evident when exporting pumps in the Delta were either shut off or curtailed in their operations earlier this year.  Those days of reduced deliveries created an uncertainty among farmers relying on that water to keep their crops alive and unnecessary shortages were created in urban water districts across the Bay area, forcing residents to cut back on their use of water.

"If Californians are going to avert a reduction in their lifestyles and a downturn in the state's economy, then new reservoirs and improved conveyance systems must be undertaken.  Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed plan to move forward with two new reservoirs and a conveyance system around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is essential for California today and tomorrow."

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(The San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority consists of 32 water agencies representing approximately 1.25 million irrigated acres of federal and exchange water service contractors within the western San Joaquin Valley, San Benito and Santa Clara counties.)