Costa, Denham: Unknown Impacts of Predation Hurting the Central Valley
Washington, D.C. – Today, Reps. Jim Costa (CA-16) and Jeff Denham (CA-10) participated in the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Power, and Oceans Hearing on “The Costly Impacts of Predation and Conflicting Federal Statutes on Native and Endangered Fish Species.”
“A choice has been made to take water away from San Joaquin Valley communities in dire need of it in order to provide uncertain benefits to species that have been harmed by a host of reasons, including being eaten by non-native species that humans have introduced into the ecosystem,” said Rep. Costa. “This is frankly morally wrong, in my opinion, and should be drawing the national attention like the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.”
“This Administration has repeatedly ignored numerous predation bills passed by this committee, including my own, which was passed by the House,” said Rep. Denham. “On behalf of the Californians we represent, we’re pissed off. This Administration continues to talk about social justice. Where is the social justice in our area as our communities suffer through our drought? Our communities are being devastated. It’s time for them to stop dragging their feet.”
Federal agencies are uncertain of the impacts of predation on the listed species in the Delta. Reps. Costa and Denham used this hearing as an opportunity to urge the Federal government to take action so we can better understand the impacts of predation and address them, in order to increase the flexibility of California’s water delivery system and deliver more water to California communities impacted by drought.
Rep. Costa’s remarks and questions during the committee hearing can be viewed here.
Rep. Denham’s remarks and questions during the committee hearing can be viewed here.
The witnesses at today’s hearing included:
- The Honorable Leotis McCormack, Secretary of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
- Mr. Will Stelle, Regional Administrator for the West Coast Region of the National Marine Fisheries Service
- Dr. Gary D. Grossman, Professor of Animal Ecology at Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia
- Mr. Doug Demko, President of FishBio