Okavango Challenge

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today is expected to declare a statewide drought
and order the state Department of Water Resources to quickly transfer water
to areas with the most severe water shortages.

The executive order also calls on the state water department to coordinate
with other state and federal agencies to ist water suppliers, identify
risks to water supply and help farmers facing losses as a result of water
shortages.

In addition, Schwarzenegger will urge local water districts and agencies to
promote water conservation when he announces his order this morning.

The declaration comes after two years of below-average rainfall in
California, low snowmelt runoff from the Sierra and the largest
court-ordered water transfer restrictions in state history, according to
the administration.

“There is no more time to waste because nothing is more vital to protect
our economy, our environment and our quality-of-life,” Schwarzenegger said
in a statement.

Duration : 0:3:44

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