ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF PROPOSITION 3

Proposition 3 meets California's urgent, critical need to secure a safe, reliable and clean water supply by

• Improving long term drought preparedness
• Providing safe drinking water to millions of Californians, including those in disadvantaged communities
• Increasing mountain water runoff we can capture and use
• Repairing existing canals that irrigate our food crops
• Repairing Oroville and other dams to keep people safe and hold more water
• Improving water quality in groundwater, rivers, lakes, and streams
• Using purified recycled water for industry and landscaping

We must secure our state's future water supply by continued investment in water conservation, recycling, canals, pipelines and water storage facilities.

"California must be prepared for the next inevitable drought and flood, which will be worsened by climate change. Proposition 3 gets California ready for changes in water supply, water quality, and flooding. It invests in water conservation and recycling."—Betty Andrews, Water Resources Engineer

"Proposition 3 will improve water quality in our ocean, lakes, rivers, and streams, and protect natural habitat for California fish, birds, and wildlife."—Professor Peter Moyle, Biology Scientist

"A natural disaster would put our water supply at risk. By improving our water supply facilities, Proposition 3 will protect Californians from earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and landslides. It will also provide multiple benefits, including water for fish and wildlife habitat, farms, cities, and recreation."—David Guy, Northern California Water Association

"California must use all water sources for a reliable water supply and improved water quality."—Charley Wilson, Southern California Water Coalition

"Water quality of our rivers, lakes, bays and oceans will be improved by Proposition 3."—David Lewis, Save The Bay

"We must capture stormwater and use it for water supplies, and prevent trash from being washed into rivers and the ocean."—Juliana Gonzalez, Ph.D., Water Resources Planner

"Protecting and restoring watersheds improves water supply and quality."—Esther Feldman, Community Conservation Solutions

"Damages from flooding and erosion will be reduced, while streams and rivers will be improved with green spaces and trails."—Ann Riley, Ph.D., Water Resources Planner

"This measure will help protect our local food supply so we can continue to enjoy fresh fruit, rice, milk, and other locally grown farm products."—Carol Chandler, Peach Grower

"Proposition 3 will improve the quality of our watersheds, helping prevent devastating wildfires, and recover from past wildfires."—Barbara Balen, Mountain Counties Water Resources Association

"California's environment and economy rely on a clean and reliable water supply. That's why environmental and business organizations like the California Chamber of Commerce, Bay Area Council, Ducks Unlimited, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Natural Heritage Institute, and Valley Industry and Commerce Association support Proposition 3."—Alan Zaremberg, California Chamber of Commerce

"California's wildlife and communities depend upon reliable clean water. Prop. 3 provides safe drinking water and long-term drought relief by cleaning up contaminated waterbodies, restoring forests and wetlands, and improving fisheries and aquatic habitats."—Collin O’Mara, National Wildlife Federation

Local water districts support Proposition 3 because it provides safe, reliable and clean drinking water.

Yes on 3!

DYAN WHYTE, Water Quality Scientist

JANET SANTOS COBB

California Wildlife Foundation

ROBERTO RAMIREZ, Water Resources Engineer

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF PROPOSITION 3

"Secure a safe, reliable and clean water supply" says the proponents' argument. But the money thrown at a multitude of proposals will not produce one drop of new water

New water comes from the sky—rain on the lowlands and snow on the mountains. The only way to collect and store rain and snowmelt is with suitably-placed dams on our major rivers. Prop. 3 doesn't fund even one dam.

Not only that, but dams gradually fill with silt (rocks and dirt). Over time, they're able to store less water, are dangerous if they collapse, and take time and money to remove the silt. Some older dams have been taken down for those reasons. Prop. 3 provides money to remove silt from one dam—just one. Other sections of the measure specifically forbid using funds to remove silt— restrictions that make no sense if we're trying to store water

Prop. 3 claims to solve one of California's major problems—our chronic shortage of water. Don't be misled. Nothing in the measure will accomplish that. It's basically a scheme to collect a lot of money for special interests.

We, our children, and our grandchildren will pay for it.

JANET S. ROBERTS, President

Central Solano Citizen/Taxpayer Group

ROBERT D. JARVIS, Vice President

Central Solano Citizen/Taxpayer Group

MURRAY T. BASS, Member

Central Solano Citizen/Taxpayer Group

ARGUMENT AGAINST PROPOSITION 3

Does Prop. 3 look familiar? It should.

We saw a water-related measure on the June ballot, with similar words. In fact, since 1996, there have been eight statewide bond measures committing money to water issues. So far the total amount is more than 29 Billion Dollars!

What do we have to show for all that money? Not one thing that will get us more water.

California is basically a desert. Without dams collecting rain and snow-melt from the mountains, extensive agriculture in the Central Valley would not exist. Our cities would be a fraction of their present populations.

Despite a decades-long drought, not one penny of that $29 Billion went to build a new dam. The near-catastrophic failure at northern California’s Oroville Dam last year showed that the State doesn’t even take care of its existing dams.

Instead of projects that would capture or store more of the precious precipitation that California gets, officials pander to special interests and pour millions of dollars into parks, hiking trails, wildlife—like a little bait-fish in the Sacramento River—and things that have nothing to do with solving the State’s water shortages. Half the water in our rivers just runs into the Pacific Ocean.

Politicians tried to prove that they’re serious about conserving water; they passed a law requiring cities to clamp down on us water-wasters. At the end of 2020, we’ll be limited to 55 gallons per resident per day for indoor residential use. And to make sure we get the message, the allowance drops to 50 gallons in 2030. What happens to our trees and landscaping?

If you don’t have greenery in your yard and think the problem doesn't affect you, drive down I-5 in the San Joaquin Valley. You'll see huge areas of bare land where farmers don't have the water to keep their trees and crops alive. Farms which feed much of the Nation have been hit by politically-driven water policies and lack of foresight.

How do the proponents of Prop. 3 want to spend $8.9 Billion? Pretty much like before.

You can read the details; but note that—again—there isn't one penny for a new dam. A little more than $4 Billion—almost half—is going to “disadvantaged communities” with no explanation of who or where they are.

Let's get to the important thing. How much is this going to cost us?

Number-crunchers estimate that interest on the bonds will almost double the total amount that has to be paid to the lenders. In other words, paying back the $8.9 Billion Dollar "loan" will cost the State—that’s us taxpayers—about $17.3 Billion. It averages out to about $433 Million per year for 40 years. That has to mean more taxes!

Do we want to give politicians another $9 Billion Dollars to do the same things that haven't gotten us one drop of water? And the money coming out of our pockets?

Think about it. No on Prop. 3!

JANET S. ROBERTS, President

Central Solano Citizen/Taxpayer Group

ROBERT D. JARVIS, Vice President

Central Solano Citizen/Taxpayer Group

MURRAY T. BASS, Member

Central Solano Citizen/Taxpayer Group

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST
PROPOSITION 3

"Proposition 3 protects disadvantaged communities by providing funding for clean, safe drinking water. Proposition 3 moves us closer to guaranteeing every Californian’s basic human right to water."—Susana de Anda, Community Water Center

Bonds finance schools, hospitals, and clean water, just like we use mortgages to buy homes. California’s bond ratings are the strongest in years. This is a good time to invest.

Proposition 3 will repair Oroville Dam.

"Restoring our mountain and urban watersheds will improve their water storage capacity, and the quality of the water they produce. This is a key way we can capture stormwater that would otherwise be lost. Everyone from rural county residents to city dwellers will benefit."—Cindy Montanez, TreePeople

"California's agricultural bounty, including our fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, wine and hundreds of other crops, depends on a reliable and balanced surface and groundwater supply. Proposition 3 will provide that supply, while protecting the environment."—Joy Sterling, Iron Horse Vineyards

Proposition 3 provides enough water for 3 million families, family farmers, and California's fish and wildlife.

Climate change will worsen the inevitable next drought. Proposition 3 gets California ready for drought without raising taxes.

"Proposition 3 creates good jobs throughout California by building and operating badly needed water projects."—Bill Whitney, Contra Costa State Building and Construction Trades Council

Proposition 3 restores watersheds and reduces fire danger.

"We know how vulnerable California is to drought. The bond makes prudent investments to protect our water supply and to restore wildlife habitat."— Senator Dianne Feinstein

Yes on 3!

PHIL ANGELIDES, Former California State Treasurer

HOWARD PENN

Planning and Conservation League

JEANNE PINCHA-TULLEY, Fire Chief