They’ve done the “nasty” and as the details emerge we’ll find out whose lobby held firm as others quavered.

The California Legislature signed the hotly debated water legislation late yesterday, and while it doesn’t provide for a peripheral canal, it hasn’t ruled one out either.

The creation of an oversight committee for the Delta, which like all oversight – is defined by how much was contributed to the Governor’s war chest – and dominated by political appointees who show only for the Croissants…

— A new seven-member board to oversee the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The board would consist of gubernatorial and legislative appointees, along with the head of an existing delta commission. The board could approve a controversial peripheral canal to channel water around the delta.

They’ll ensure that a trickle makes it to San Francisco Bay.

Us citizens, we get to pay for the 11 billion dollars of infrastructure – which will be deployed around 2015 – ensuring it costs twice as much due to inflation and the decline of US currency. The Good News is we get to vote on it, which is the bad news too.

The idea of paying for all that infrastructure by charging those that use it was shot down – as was the removal and watering-down of the penalties for illegal diversion.

… and we get to absorb a 20% cut in our freshwater while paying for the privilege – unless you live in San Francisco or Los Angeles, in which case you’re exempt as you never shower. All the rest of us citizens will be required to reduce our water usage 20% below our current levels.

A 20-percent conservation mandate for urban areas, with credits for cities that have made significant conservation efforts. Agricultural entities will have to follow best practices for water use.

… and the best practice for agricultural has been to irrigate desert, remain profitable, and sell what’s left to Las Vegas or Phoenix.

I sound skeptical and I’ve a right to be. Consensus amongst politicians rarely involves the Greater Good, and votes seem to be acquiring a more sinister note, akin to “everyone who got over on the populace raise your hand.” Ensuring each municipality gets their fare share of a diminished resource.

“I believe this measure is so bulked up with pork that it is going to sink under the weight of its own pork when voters are asked to vote on it next year,” said Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, who voted against the bond.”

If the details live up to the negotiations, I’d say it’ll have no chance whatsoever. A lot of disgruntled folks that resent having to pay for the bank and automobile bailouts – could easily perceive some pork barrel water project as more of the same.

Me, I’ll ferret details and continue to vote out everyone from that shadowy third political party called, “Incumbent.”

Tags: California water wars, 11 billion water infrastructure bill, pork, big agriculture, peripheral canal, personal opinion