Costa Says Feinstein Water Bill is a Critical Step Forward
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement in response to the introduction of Senator Dianne Feinstein’s California water bill, the California Long-Term Provisions for Water Supply and Short-Term Provisions for Emergency Drought Relief Act:
“Senator Feinstein’s introduction of California water legislation is a critical step forward in getting legislation passed and signed into law that will bring relief to San Joaquin Valley communities,” said Rep. Costa. “The Senate bill provides significant support for solving our state’s long-term water challenges by authorizing funds to increase and diversify the state’s water supply, including funding for water storage, desalination, water recycling, reuse and advanced conservation. This funding would complement the ongoing efforts made by the recent passage of the California Water Bond and would give us the money to invest in using all the water tools in our water toolbox.”
Costa continued saying, “Last year, Rep. Valadao and I, and the San Joaquin Valley Congressional delegation, introduced H.R. 2898, the Western Water and American Food Security Act. It would provide relief to San Joaquin Valley farmers and communities in the short-term by directing state and federal agencies to maximize the amount of water they are pumping from the Delta, unless there is a direct and identifiable environmental impact.
The House has passed a bill that would assist the communities across California with drought recovery. I urge my colleagues in the United States Senate to pass Senator Feinstein’s bill so that we can enter negotiations to move a bill to the President’s desk for signature. Time is of the essence and every day of delay only results in losses of vital water supplies for Californians in need. The bottom line is that if four years of drought have taught us any lesson, it is that California has a broken water system that cannot sustain our economy in the 21st century. It is time to put the politics aside in Washington and Sacramento and fix our water system because our future depends upon it.”
The California Long-Term Provisions for Water Supply and Short-Term Provisions for Emergency Drought Relief Act would help communities which are most at risk of having a zero water allocation this year by providing $1.3 billion in funding and support for water storage, desalination, and recycling efforts, while simultaneously directing state and federal agencies to maximize water supplies during the short term while not violating environmental laws that protect threatened and endangered species.