Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

LOS BANOS – Following a meeting with federal, state and local officials in Los Banos today to discuss California’s water supply crisis, Congressman Cardoza made the following statement:

“Our Valley, already at the breaking point because of the foreclosure crisis, high unemployment rates, and drought conditions, cannot sustain the additional hit of this ‘regulatory drought.’ We have to come at this crisis from every angle. We need to stop blaming the pumps and our farmers as the reason for the decline of species in the Delta. Every factor – whether it’s the pumps, municipalities that dump wastewater in the Delta, urban run-off, or non-native species feeding on endangered species – needs to be held responsible and mitigated in a way that doesn’t devastate our farmers.”

The meeting was held to discuss the ongoing water supply crisis and the devastating impact that it has had on San Joaquin Valley farmers. Congressman Cardoza was joined by his colleague, Congressman Jim Costa, D-Fresno. During the meeting, several projects were discussed that could help alleviate the effects of the water supply crisis. Also discussed was the need for increased flexibility in operations of the water systems to provide for an increased water supply.

The State of California has announced the initial water supply for the State Water Project at 10 percent. Although the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has not yet announced this year’s initial allocation, it is expected that the allocation will be similar or less than last year’s meager allocation of 10 percent. 

“This is not a partisan issue, it is a Valley issue,” said Congressman Cardoza. “We all need to work together to bring about common-sense solutions to address the regulatory impediments and get water flowing again. We need to use every tool possible to help mitigate this crisis – from removing obstacles to water transfers to constructing water projects – that will have a real impact on water supply.”

Among those attending were officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Department of Commerce, California Department of Water Resources and local water districts throughout the San Joaquin Valley. 

Briefings were provided by state and federal water officials regarding water supply allocations and actions that can be taken to mitigate the water supply crisis, including a National Academy of Sciences review of the science of the Biological Opinions.  These Biological Opinions by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service place additional restrictions on pumping and water deliveries. 

Over the past year, Congressman Cardoza has continued to work on a bipartisan basis and has introduced or sponsored legislation and advocated for projects which would help to alleviate the water crisis.

To read more news about Congressman Cardoza’s work on the water supply crisis, please see the following press releases:

http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca18_cardoza/PRFINALH2OAMENDS.html

http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca18_cardoza/PRDOIMEETING.html

http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca18_cardoza/PRWATERMATCHFUNDS.html

http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca18_cardoza/PR11309DELTAFACTORS.html

http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca18_cardoza/PRRULESH2OAMENDS.html

http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca18_cardoza/PRH2OHELP.html

http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca18_cardoza/PRSALMONOP.html

http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca18_cardoza/PRWATERBILL.html