CALIFORNIA – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared the first statewide drought in 16 years Wednesday, setting in place measures to head off severe shortages next year and lending a boost to his plan to raise more than $11 billion to upgrade the state’s water delivery system. The governor did not call for rationing, but his plan seeks funding for conservation programs, attempts to encourage water transfers and orders adjustments in the timing of water deliveries to free irrigation supplies for farmers.

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Source : Contra Costa Times