Final Amendments Pave Way For Valley Agriculture Water Improvements

Final amendments pave way for Valley agriculture water improvements For Immediate Release: October 1, 2009 Contact: Mike Jensen (202) 225-6131 WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved the conference report for the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. The bill included two provisions authored by Congressman Dennis Cardoza and his colleague Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) aimed at increasing water flows to San Joaquin Valley farmers. “As I have said before, we all would like to see the pumps permanently ‘turned on’ throughout the entire growing season and ensure that water is flowing from the San Joaquin Delta to our farmers. For many years I fought to make that happen. Because it has become abundantly clear this strategy is not working, common sense dictates we need to pursue other workable options. These practical amendments are a significant means to help us address our water needs in the Valley,” said Congressman Cardoza. The first provision will make it easier for water to be transferred from one county to another. Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation restricts such transfers, creating an impediment to efficient and practical water movement during times of need. The amendment also directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a recovery plan for the giant garter snake, an endangered species. A recovery plan will help to remove the bureaucratic red tape that prevents water transfers from Northern California from moving forward. The second provision provides $10 million in increased funding for the California Bay-Delta Restoration Program, which will help fund important water projects such as the Two Gates and the Intertie projects. These projects will help to convey and transfer water to the people and farms most impacted by the shortage. The amendments were introduced by Congressmen Cardoza and Costa and passed the House as part of the House version of the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill that passed in July. These amendments had provided a clarification in the law that would have allowed the water transfers on a permanent basis. However, in the conference report, language was inserted limiting the transfers to a two-year period. Congressmen Cardoza and Costa, and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) will soon be introducing a separate bill to make the water transfers permanent.