Governor declares statewide drought

Governor Schwarzenegger has declared a statewide drought today. Here’s the summary from the San Diego Union-Tribune:

"The governor is ringing the bell. We’re heading over a cliff." – Lester Snow, director of the state Department of Water Resources

Water rationing: The state could force conservation efforts on water districts if voluntary reductions don’t succeed.

Water czars: The governor will assign two positions: one to implement conservation programs and the other to facilitate water transfers.

Water bank: The state will begin planning to buy water from farmers to transfer to parched regions and create a reserve in case of emergency.

Appeal to Washington: The governor’s executive order declaring a drought directs state officials to seek federal drought assistance.

New reservoirs: The governor will press lawmakers to approve $11.7 billion in bonds, which would include funding for new storage.