As growing concerns in California mount regarding drought issues that have largely affected the state's agriculture and farming industry, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a $687 million drought-relief Saturday.

The legislative bill package, which passed in the state Assembly and Senate almost unanimously, will allocate funds for projects aimed at making the state's irrigation system more efficient, improving conservation, cleaning up contaminated groundwater and capturing rain water efficiently.

The funds will also assist the state's workers, such as farmers, whose ability to afford housing and food as diminished in the face of the increasing drought problem.

$1 million will go directly to public awareness campaigns urging Californians to conserve water and "do their part," according to a statement from Brown.

"Legislators across the aisle have now voted to help hard-pressed communities that face water shortages," according to the release. "This legislation marks a crucial step - but Californians must continue to take every action possible to conserve water."Also under the new legislation, penalties against people who avert water illegally would worsen.

The bill package passed the state Assembly and Senate with minimal opposition

$25.3 million would go toward the food assistance initiative while $21 million would fund the housing assistance portion.

While California received some much needed heavy rains this weekend, it will not solve the dramatically dry conditions, as records show 2013 was the driest the state endured.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Carol Smith told Reuters, "Obviously this rain helps, but we need a lot more to get caught up.

Half of the nations' fruits and vegetables grow in California, while the state also leads in the value of agricultural goods produced. If the drought continues to get worse, the state's crop loses could spike up consumer prices for tree and vine produce.

The majority of the $687 million package will come from accelerated spending from two previously voter approved money bonds.

Source - http://www.latinpost.com/