FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2000
Contact: Diane Thomas
(714) 834-6203
Board of Supervisors
Supports - Propositions 12 & 13
(Santa Ana) - The Board
of Supervisors today voted unanimously to support two
statewide ballot measures: Proposition 12, the Park Bond;
and Proposition 13, the Water Bond. Both are on the statewide
March 7 ballot.
The Park Bond, Proposition 12, appropriates $2.1 billion
from the State general fund. It provides direct, per capita
funding for local jurisdictions including $17 million
directly to the County of Orange, and also provides grants
for parks in urbanized areas, grants for watershed protection
including wetlands and habitat restoration. Included among
the many categories in this measure are several other
sources of funds that will come directly to Orange County
jurisdictions. Some examples include $13 million for the
Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve; $12.5 million for
the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park; and $10 million for
the Discovery Science Center.
The Water Bond, Proposition 13, appropriates $1.97 billion
from the State general fund. It will provide grants for
watershed protection, non-point source pollution control
programs, flood control programs, water conservation programs,
and water recycling programs. Proposition 13 includes
many sources of funds that are directly dedicated to the
County such as $4 million for a Huntington Beach multi-agency
pollution study; $235 million for projects in the Santa
Ana Watershed Project Authority, and approximately $22
million in Orange County flood control subventions. Additionally,
60 percent of the funding for the Watershed Protection
Program and 60 percent of the funding for the Non-point
Source Pollution Control Program is earmarked for the
six-county Southern California area. OC's share could
be estimated at $14 million. Funds are for long-term infrastructure
improvements and are to be repaid by the State over a
25-year period. The Water Bond, like the Park Bond, contains
many funding categories in which Orange County is well
positioned to compete favorably.
"These bond measures will have a direct, positive
effect on Orange County, its residents and our quality
of life," said Board Chairman Chuck V. Smith. "Each
of our Board members has an interest in the success of
the ballot measures. I want to particularly commend Tom
Wilson for the work he's done to bring both of these bond
proposals to the people."
"In my position as vice chairman of the Southern
California Water Committee, I am particularly interested
in Proposition 13 and the benefits it could bring to Orange
County," said Third District Supervisor Todd Spitzer.
"This bond measure will provide for not only today's
needs, but also for the needs of future generations of
Californians."
The passage of both Propositions will significantly assist
the County and Orange County's cities in meeting State
water quality standards, Protecting and preserving parklands,
open space and coastal resources, and providing adequate
flood protection for Orange County's citizens.
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