Beats me! Let’s see.
California’s Department of Water Resources (“DWR”) argues that BDCP water is a bargain. I do not find the pitch compelling. The cost of water is understated. The BDCP water supply is “non-firm” and not at all comparable to alternatives discussed. What should be done? Use a subscription process and find out if federal and state water contractors are willing to enter into contracts to purchase BDCP water. Continue reading
State Representative Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) recently called for a new bold plan to solve the Lone Star state’s outsized water challenges in a guest column in the Waco Tribune Herald. He proposed “an open dialogue with our neighboring states and investing in new technology to bolster our state’s water supply, rather than relying on the same approaches that have failed to provide us a water supply for future generations.” He finds Texas’s future can be found outside courtrooms and in conjunctive groundwater-surface water projects based on interstate cooperation. Continue reading
Nope.
Remarkably, DWR’s operational studies suggest that the BDCP’s water supply benefits are mostly in normal and wet years. Supply reliability means the ability of a water resource to provide water in drought conditions. The BDCP mantra about water supply reliability has stood the concept on its head. The missing link: storage. Without it, the BDCP project looks like a new junior priority water resource for California water users. Continue reading
Nope.
Rising debt burdens in California is a “headwind” for voter-approved water bonds. Given the crowd I roll with, this is conventional wisdom. I find unconvincing Department of Water Resources (“DWR”) discussion of bond funding for the conservation and restoration part of the BDCP. DWR simply believes that California voters pass water bonds by large majorities.
How does one choose between these two world views? Simply look at the very history of California water bonds found in DWR materials!
Based on the history of water bonds, the 2014 water bond has about 7-1 odds against passing. A smaller water bond would do better, but are not close to an even money bet. Time to seek counsel from a former Carmel mayor. Do you feel lucky . . .? Continue reading