The region’s three most powerful men need your support. That was essentially the message at the Elk’s Lodge in Chico last night where Congressman Doug LaMalfa, State Senator Jim Nielsen and State Assemblyman James Gallagher waxed about the benefits of a proposed $3.5 billion to $4 billion reservoir west of Maxwell. The three said the public’s vociferous support and lobbying of federal and state agencies may be key to making the blueprints into shimmering blue water.
It’s been a long time coming. Initial studies date back to 1957. Nielsen said California should resurrect the can-do spirit of that era.
“For the last several decades, and I mean the ’70s the ’80s and ’90s and the 2000s, water policy in this state has been based on sharing of scarcity,” Nielsen said. “That really hasn’t worked very well.”
“Conservation absolutely has its place and no other industry has done more for conservation than our industry. Agriculture. But that alone cannot be the answer,” he added.
The three were joined by Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District General Manager Thad Bettner and Jim Watson, the newly appointed general manager of the Sites Joint Powers Authority who provided some background.
LaMalfa said the dam has wide support.
“A broad basis of people want this project,” he said. “Those who would build it, those who would benefit from the water, environmentally, ag, everybody.”
Ultimately, LaMalfa said, the state water commission will decide how much money from a recent bond issue to devote to the new dam. The project is one of several being reviewed, but is considered among the most viable by state and federal officials.
No serious opposition to the project has emerged.