Our
view
California
needs Prop. 50
As California’s population continues to
grow the importance of the quality, safety,
availability and protection of its water
also increases.
Proposition
50 is an important measure that aims to
protect these necessities. The proposition
would authorize funding to improve security
for water systems, remove harmful pollutants
from drinking water, create water efficiency
projects, reduce Colorado River water use,
and most importantly allow for the purchasing,
protecting and restoring of coastal wetlands
near urban areas.
Opponents
to the measure argue that it is much too
costly at $3.44 billion, and because the
proposition will not create new water storage
and distribution facilities, it is simply
not worth the price. Those against the measure
also argue that all it will do is hand out
money to fund projects of environmental
extremist groups.
Organizations
and individuals against Proposition 50 make
a weak, insufficient argument.
They
complain about the amount of money it will
cost, but if they had their way, they would
be building more dams and facilities that
would cost the same amount if not more than
Proposition 50.
Reasons
for their opposition ultimately boil down
to the allotment of money toward organizations
and causes that they have no interest in.
However, just because opponents would rather
solve the water problems in California by
building a few dams here and there, this
does not mean that Proposition 50 cannot
also solve, or at least alleviate water
problems without building dams and new water
facilities.
Proposition
50 will use existing tax revenue to fix
sewer and storm water systems that, over
time, have begun to dump raw sewage and
other pollution into coastal waters, making
them unsafe for swimming. California prides
itself on its beautiful beaches; the pride
of California should be continuously protected.
The
measure will also increase security for
California’s reservoirs, dams and other
facilities, which are currently only surrounded
by fences. In the wake of recent terrorist
attacks, the protection and security of
drinking water should not be overlooked
or taken lightly.
Proposition
50 proposes to solve real problems involving
water in California, an extremely important
issue that affects every Californian’s life.
The fact is, if the measure passes, it will
work toward improving and protecting what
we already have. If it does not pass, the
safety of our drinking water and the protection
of coastal wetlands will be at stake.
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