Costa Letter Says All Needs Must Be Considered in Response to Drought
(WASHINGTON) – Congressman Jim Costa sent a letter to the State Water Resources Control Board about the need for a balanced approach towards municipal, agricultural, and environmental water use in any response to California's worsening drought crisis.
The letter reads in part:
"Reliable water supplies are essential to the public health, ecosystems, and regional economic viability of the Central Valley. We are at a critical moment in California's history. Actions taken now can build resilience for future droughts and provide benefits to California's people and its environment."
The letter commended the Governor's recent drought emergency declaration but highlights the need to consider the affects decisions made towards regional water operations will have towards all state operations due to California's interconnected water systems:
"The operations of water projects during critically dry years like this one requires striking a reasonable balance between competing beneficial uses of water and weighing the impacts to all downstream water users, human and environmental," read the letter.
The letter was co-signed by valley Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10). It can be read in its entirety here.
Rep. Costa also recently spoke on the House floor about the drought crisis in California and the need to find new ways to provide water to farmers and farming communities.