$13 Billion in Water Bonds Headed for the California Ballot in 2018

The legislature placed a $4.1 billion water bond on the ballot in June while a privately funded initiative hopes to qualify an $8.9 billion water bond for the November ballot. The state measure would also fund parks and trails.

2 minute read

November 27, 2017, 1:00 PM PST

By Irvin Dawid


California Aqueduct

Omar Bárcena / Flickr

"California has a long history of using bonds to finance major water projects," reports Kurtis Alexander for the San Francisco Chronicle on Nov. 24. "More than a dozen have been approved since the 1970s." 

In fact, Alexander notes that there is $2.7 billion remaining from a $7 billion, 2014 bond measure, Proposition 1, which agribusiness hopes will be used for new reservoirs. Neither of the two bond measures next year would fund new dams.

"The Legislature’s $4.1 billion [general obligation] bond measure on the June ballot was forged as a compromise among several interest groups," writes Alexander. The measure was authorized in October after Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 5: "California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018," authored by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles).  

Its water-related components lean away from traditional infrastructure projects such as new dams, and toward funding for recycling, construction of flood-control levees and cleanup of polluted waterways. 

Close to half the bond money, however, would have little or nothing to do with water projects. Some would go to park acquisition and maintenance, much of it in Southern California. Money would be allocated for trail construction and land conservation in the Bay Area. Low-income communities would be given priority for the funding. 

"The other bond measure is being headed by Jerry Meral, a former deputy director of the California Department of Water Resources and a longtime water-project advocate," adds Alexander.

Meral supports the Legislature’s bond but says it wouldn’t go far enough. He is leading a signature drive to qualify an $8.9 billion bond for the November ballot, and appears to have the financial support, largely from farmers, to get it there.

 Like the Legislature’s measure, Meral’s proposed bond would support recycling, groundwater and clean-up programs. But it would also pay for traditional water projects such as improved canals for farm irrigation in the Central Valley....[and] include $200 million for Oroville Dam repairs and millions more for other reservoir upgrades.

No opposition is sited for the state measure, unlike the private initiative. "Some worry about the high price, while the Sierra Club calls it a 'pay-for-play' deal that will serve big growers and other wealthy water users," writes Alexander. However, it does have support of urban water suppliers and wildlife group.

Backgrouind information on the private initiative can be found in this August Planning Report interview of Jerry Meral and Brian Jordan, vice president of civil engineering firm Tetra Tech. Meral refers to the potential measure as the "Joe Caves’ initiative" who is with the Conservation Strategy Group.

Sunday, November 26, 2017 in San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Person stepping over hole in sidewalk.

Portland Council Tentatively Approves Sidewalk Repair Plan

The proposal would address sidewalk needs in Portland’s District 1 and District 4.

51 minutes ago - Oregon Public Broadcasting

6-story building at Honolulu Community College.

Expanding Access to Design Education at Honolulu Community College

Honolulu Community College’s Architecture, Engineering & Construction Technologies program highlights the role of community colleges in preparing nontraditional students for careers in architectural and construction technologies.

2 hours ago - University of Hawai'i News

"Radiation Zone, Keep Out" sign on wood post with red Arizona desert mesa in background

Integrating Human Rights Into Energy and Extractive Sector Transitions

Why just transition efforts must move beyond economic considerations by embedding human rights principles into business practices to ensure equitable, transparent, and accountable outcomes for affected communities and workers.

3 hours ago - Cambridge University Press

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.