Update: Salazar Appoints Water Czar

At a town hall meeting in Fresno Sunday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced four measures intended to address the state's water woes:

• Water Czar: Deputy Secretary David Hayes will serve as a water czar and coordinate the federal response.


• BDCP: The federal government is renewing its committment to the Bay Delta Conservation Plan.


• Grant Money: The administration has allocated $220 million in stimulus funds for water and environmental infrastructure projects and later this month will add $40 million in drought relief aid.


• Expedited Reviews: Federal agencies will review water delivery plans - like the Two Gates project - more quickly.

Among those reporting on the meeting: the Mercury-News, the Central Valley Business Times, and Fox affiliate KPMH.