Steinberg defends proposed water legislation

By Matt Weiser .. mweiser@sacbee.com Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009 Facing an array of criticism from Northern California interests about controversial water legislation, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg defended the measures Friday, saying they include plenty of protections – and money – for Sacramento and Delta interests. Steinberg, D-Sacramento, spoke as part of a panel at the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce's annual "State of the County" luncheon. The panel focused on statewide water issues and the effects on Northern California and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Joining him on the panel were Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli, Yolo County Supervisor Mike McGowan and prominent water lawyer Stuart Somach. The three said the bills don't do enough to protect Northern California water rights, don't provide enough money to local governments to compensate for the loss of farmland to habitat restoration, and don't provide enough local representation on a new Delta Stewardship Council proposed to govern the estuary. MORE .. Sacramento Bee More Resources: A Water Way? .. Sacramento Bee Bill To Require Legislative O.K. of Peripheral Canal Introduced .. Capital Alert State Politicos Sideling Delta Area Legislators in $9.4 Billion Repair Plan .. Contra Costa Times