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League of Women Voters of California

LWV California Education Fund Nonpartisan Analysis of

Proposition 204

Safe, Clean, Reliable, Water Supply Act

Legislative Bond Act

The Question

Should the state borrow $995 million through the sale of general obligation bonds to restore and improve the Bay-Delta and for wastewater treatment, water supply and conservation, and local flood control and prevention?

The Situation

The state has previously sold bonds to improve water quality, guarantee water supply, and provide for fish and wildlife habitat. Almost all the money from these bond measures has been spent or is committed to specific projects. The San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta provides drinking water for 22 million Californians. It also provides irrigation for 45% of all the fruits and vegetables produced in the United States. The state and federal governments are working on a long-term joint project, CALFED, to manage the Bay-Delta water and restore its ecology.

The Proposal

Proposition 204 will authorize the sale of $995 million in general obligation bonds to restore and improve the Bay-Delta, for wastewater treatment, water supply, and conservation, plus provide funds for some local flood control and to pay some of the state's share of the CALFED project.

Fiscal effect: If the bonds are sold at 6%, the principal and interest would be $1.8 billion. The average cost per year would be $71 million.

Supporters Say

  • the environment would be protected.
  • Proposition 204 is supported by both environmentalists and farmers.
  • more water would be available to meet increasing residential and agricultural needs.

Opponents Say

  • this measure is too expensive.
  • government projects have caused unsafe drinking water, pollution, and injury to wildlife.
  • CALFED would be allowed to impose rules and regulations on private property rights.
(Analysis prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund.)
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Last updated: October 28, 1996
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