Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to today’s announcement on increased water allocations to San Joaquin Valley farmers, Congressman Cardoza said he is encouraged. However, he also said that much work remains and more water is needed.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that Valley farmers would receive a 25 percent water allocation from the federal Central Valley Project. Farmers could see up to 35 percent based on various actions the Interior Department expects to undertake.

“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.”