Schwarzenegger: New dams critical for water supply

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SACRAMENTO (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday said he will reject any proposal to overhaul state water policy that fails to include funding for new dams.

The governor made his comments Tuesday as lawmakers were holding a hearing on a package of bills intended to upgrade California's decades-old water-delivery system.

Schwarzenegger and lawmakers from both parties have made water-related issues a top priority.

Schwarzenegger has joined Republican lawmakers and some Democrats who represent districts in the Central Valley in pushing for dams and expanding underground water storage.

"I will not sign anything that does not have above-the-ground and below-the-ground water storage," the governor said. "We need a whole package to restore our water today and ensure that we have water for tomorrow."

Democrats say they aren't ruling out money for dams but say the Legislature must first address problems with the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the ecosystem that serves as the main conduit moving water from north to south.

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