It may turn out that getting the $11.1 billion state water bond on next November's ballot was the easy part. The biggest problem for bond backers is opponents will have a year to raise doubts in voters' minds about the wisdom of borrowing that much money to build dams and other projects.
Critics already are picking the measure apart: The state can't afford another massive bond. It has too much pork. It's a giveaway to corporate farmers, and other special interests who will benefit from the water projects.
The legislation authorizing the bond was just signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but an informal campaign against the measure is under way. Just wait until opponents get their act together.
Not surprisingly, the always-optimistic Schwarzenegger doesn't see a big problem in passing the bond. He points out that only a simple majority is needed for passage and he doesn't think opponents can block approval.
Schwarzenegger told The Fresno Bee's editorial board that supporters of the water reform legislation made an effort to get the backing of the many interests that have been fighting for years over the state's water supply. There will be bond opponents, he said, but their voices will be countered by those who understand the need to upgrade the water system.
Another factor that could affect the bond campaign is its timing. Next November's balloting will be mid-term elections nationally, and they will bring out opponents of President Barack Obama's policies. It might take some convincing to get the Tea Party voters in California to back another big bond measure.
The key to winning is to point out that the bond is about California's ability to provide water for all its residents. We have a water system constructed for 18 million people and California has 38 million people, with more coming.
It will help solve the environmental and structural problems of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which is a pivotal spot in the state for transporting water. If the Delta fails, it will be much more costly to fix it.
A reliable mechanism is needed to transport water around the Delta. A "peripheral canal" has not had widespread support and Schwarzenegger appears to be the only politician willing to say "peripheral canal."
But even the governor is changing his terminology. He says instead of a canal, the state may build an underground conveyance system encased in concrete. Now here's where this concept gets interesting.
An excited Schwarzenegger told The Bee's editorial board about a tunneling machine that he used in his movie "Total Recall." He said there is a similar machine available to dig the Delta tunnel.
"It bores through the land and cements the wall as it goes," said Schwarzenegger, adding that the real-life machine is bigger and better than the one used in his movie.
Schwarzenegger said this is a serious proposal and Lester Snow, the governor's water expert, confirmed that the project is among options being considered.
Snow said there would be two underground canals 110 to 150 feet below the surface and each 33 feet in diameter. Snow said administration officials are still working out the engineering details and trying to determine if an underground canal would be cheaper than an above-ground canal.
I can't see how it will be cheaper. But I like the idea of tunneling under the Delta with a giant "Total Recall" machine. It would make a great movie.
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