Climate Bond Includes Significant Funding to Address Refuge Water Needs

Just before its Summer Recess, the California State Legislature approved a statewide ballot measure, “The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024”, that would authorize $10 billion in bonds to support a variety of climate and environment-related projects. 

CWA, along with our wetland conservation partners, had been advocating over the past year for the inclusion of funding for a variety of wetland and waterfowl related purposes, especially to secure water deliveries for the Klamath Refuges. 

Fortunately, the Legislature agreed to include $25 million to improve habitat conditions for managed wetlands, including water-related projects for CVPIA wetlands and the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. 

The bond measure also includes hundreds of millions in funding for the Wildlife Conservation Board, which can use the monies for wetland conservation projects in the Central Valley and other inland areas—including on State Wildlife Areas.

The climate bond will appear as Proposition 4 on the statewide ballot.  It needs a majority vote to pass.  CWA supports the measure and urges our members to consider its wetland and other waterfowl habitat benefits.