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California’s legislators respond to increased CVP water allocations

Posted by: Maven on March 17, 2010 at 8:19 am

barbara boxerFrom Senator Barbara Boxer:

“U. S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today praised the U.S. Department of the Interior’s announcement that the Bureau of Reclamation’s 2010 Central Valley Project Water Supply allocations have increased throughout the Central Valley. The increase results from additional precipitation and improved snowpack and storage at Shasta Reservoir.

Senator Boxer said, “I am so pleased that the Bureau of Reclamation has agreed to release their updated water allocations a few weeks early so that farmers can start making more informed planting decisions. Water supplies are still limited, but I am optimistic that allocations will continue to go up and that the other measures the Bureau is working on will provide additional relief to the human suffering on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley.” … “

feinsteinFrom Senator Dianne Feinstein:

“The Department of the Interior today announced an updated allocation for Central Valley Project water supplies. Based on a 90 percent forecast, farmers on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley will receive 25 percent of their contract water supply and farmers in the Sacramento Valley will receive 50 percent – both allocations are up from 5 percent.

This is good news, and this updated allocation provides more certainty and should help farmers secure the loans they need.

The Department also reaffirmed that they are working to secure the equivalent of an additional allocation of 8 to 10 percent for South-of-Delta agricultural users through administrative measures.

I’m pleased that the Interior Department has recognized the urgency of the water crisis and worked quickly to provide this updated allocation announcement ahead of schedule. I will continue to work with the Administration to ensure that farmers have enough water to plant, hire, and harvest this year.”

cardozaFrom Congressman Dennis Cardoza:

“Today’s announcement is less than the 40 percent minimum our farmers desperately need,” said Cardoza. “However, it does show an improvement over the initial allocation announced in February. I appreciate the work of Interior Secretary Salazar, but I will continue to press the Department to immediately undertake the necessary actions which will result in additional allocation increases.”

Despite this year’s heavy rains, San Joaquin Valley West-side farmers are facing a regulatory drought as a result of continued cuts in water supply in recent years. Pumping of irrigation water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the San Joaquin Valley has been curtailed in recent years as the pumps have been blamed for losses in smelt and salmon species.

Congressman Cardoza has worked closely with Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) in calling for a National Academies of Science review of the science that was guiding the Biological Opinions. The opinions have resulted in pumping restrictions to protect the Delta smelt. The National Academies of Science has undertaken this review, and Phase I of their review of the science underlying the Biological Opinions is expected to be released later this week. Phase II of the study will analyze the other stressors in the Delta, including urban pesticide run-off, discharge of treated sewage, and non-native predatory species.

“Today’s announcement is helpful,” said Cardoza. “However, we must do more to get water to our West-side farmers. We must address all of the factors affecting the health of the Delta and we must ensure we have long-term water supply projects in the pipeline. Until we do that, we will continue to face these critical shortages no matter how much it rains.”

costaFrom Congressman Jim Costa:

“Today’s announcement is welcome news for the Valley and our local economy,” Costa said. “Every additional drop of water we secure is a step forward in our ongoing fight to bring more water to our farmers, farm workers, and farm communities. While the increase is positive news, I want to make it clear that a 35 percent water allocation still falls short of what Valley farmers and communities need to get by. Our Valley’s water district managers have stated that our farmers need a minimum allocation of 40 percent to make it through the year.”

Interior’s latest announcement is an increase from the Department’s initial announcement of 5 percent to agricultural service contractors south of the Delta on February 26. Since the current Administration took office, Congressman Costa has taken every opportunity to meet with President Obama and officials from the Department of the Interior to press for an increased water supply for the Valley.

“Our fight for a fair and sustainable supply of water this year is far from over,” Costa said. “Timeliness and specific details remain key as farmers need to make decisions for this year’s growing season as soon as possible. After taking our Valley’s message directly to the President and meeting repeatedly with officials from the Interior Department, I am pleased that the Administration increased the Valley’s water supply. The President and the Department of Interior must continue to think outside the box and do whatever it takes to provide at least a 40% water allocation.”

March 17, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project

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