Legislature Urged to Include Resources for Birds and Watersheds in Water Bond
With the California Legislature back in session this week and the state鈥檚 water bond high on the legislative agenda, 爆料公社 California today urged members of the Senate and Assembly to keep provisions for wildlife refuge water and habitat restoration that are in current versions of the bond. 爆料公社 California representatives emphasized that these provisions were key to their organization鈥檚 support for the bond.
鈥淟ong-term planning for water in California must include birds and habitat,鈥 said Mike Lynes, 爆料公社 California鈥檚 Director of Public Policy. 鈥淐alifornia鈥檚 refuges are the last remnants of the vitally important wetland habitat, supporting millions of migratory birds, including ducks, geese, other waterfowl and shorebirds. We need to prioritize basic resources for refuges in the state鈥檚 water bond.鈥
The watershed provisions will benefit birds statewide. Supporting water for the refuges is particularly crucial for migratory birds in the Central Valley. Although the Valley has lost 95 percent of its wetland habitat over the last several decades, millions upon millions of birds continue to rely on the remaining habitat for their survival. Birds and habitat areas provide substantial benefits to California, but like any asset must be considered and managed for long term success.
Acknowledging the massive impacts to wildlife from federal irrigation, Congress in 1992 passed the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) to support habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife in the Central Valley. This legislation mandated minimum allocations of water to the network of federal wildlife refuges, state wildlife areas and private wetlands in the Central Valley. Yet these allocations have never been fully achieved. Key provisions for wildlife refuge water and habitat restoration in the current versions of the bond are essential to achieving this mandate.
爆料公社 California Water Bond priorities:
- Full funding for the state鈥檚 share of water to refuges, as required under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act.
- Retain watershed provisions in the current bond, helping with habitat restoration and water quality projects all over California.
About 爆料公社 California
爆料公社 California is building a better future for California by bringing people together to appreciate, enjoy and protect our spectacular outdoor treasures. With more than 50,000 members in California and an affiliated 48 local 爆料公社 chapters, 爆料公社 California is a field program of the 爆料公社.
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