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SACRAMENTO-

Some conservation groups are taking opposite positions on Proposition 1 on the November ballot. The 7 Billion dollar water bond was approved by legislature and is being pushed by Governor Jerry Brown. But groups like the California Sportsfishing Alliance, the Sacramento River Preservation Trust, and the American River Association urged voters today to reject the measure.

They say it helps finance or expand more dams without creating more water. They say there is plenty of dam capacity now.

“There’s nothing there and this bond does nothing to produce more water,” said Bill Jennings of the Sportsfishing Alliance.

Even if storage was increased after good rain years, they say recycling and conservation of water is something that will increase water supplies more quickly. They say water should be allocated more carefully.

“This is corporate agriculture making bad decisions and our state trying to bail them out over and over at the cost of salmon and at the cost of cities growing,” said Lucas Rossmerz of the Sacramento River Preservation Trust.

But others say there’s nothing in the bod measure that allocates money for new dams. Instead they say the Water Commission will determine the best and most efficient use of the bond money. Jay Ziegler of the Nature Conservancy of California says the money will help regions develop water saving measures and replenishing groundwater supplies.

“We all need more creative water solutions to meet California’s water needs, and that’s what Proposition 1 is about,” said Ziegler.

One of the reasons the measure enjoys widespread support among stakeholders is that everyone gets a piece of the pie.

“It has money to get clean and safe drinking water for people, it’s got money to help us manage or limited water resources better, and it has money for watershed protection and restoration,” said Meghan Hertel of Audubon California.

While polls show a two to one advantage in support among voters, opponents hope that will change once people learn how expensive the measure is and how ineffective it will be in having an immediate impact for thirsty Californians.