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House Appropriations Committee Does Not Pass Amendment to Bring More Water to the San Joaquin Valley

July 8, 2009

WASHINGTON,D.C. – Lastnight, the House Appropriations Committee unfortunately did not pass anamendment which would have maintained maximum pumping operation in theSacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno), workingwith Congressman Devin Nunes (R-Tulare), urged fellow Democrats on theCommittee to support the amendment. Ultimately, the amendment failed in avote before the full committee by a tally of 25 to 33.

"Thisamendment would have had zero impact on the pocketbook of the Americantaxpayer," Costa said. "Prior to the hearing, I spoke with a targetedgroup of Democratic colleagues that Congressman Nunes, Congressman Cardoza andI agreed would most likely support this amendment. I let them know aboutthe devastation in our small towns and communities due simply to the lack ofwater. While this amendment would not have been the silver bullet, itwould have brought needed water to the farmers and farm workers living in ourValley."

"Iwant to thank Congressman Nunes for his continued hard work to bring neededrelief to our Valley's farms. He and I both know our water challenges arenot a partisan issue. As this session of Congress continues, I willcontinue to work with the Valley delegation on this issue, as well as offeringadditional legislative strategies to bring water to our Valley. Finally,I will continue to work with all of my colleagues to develop short and longterm water solutions to California," Costa stated.

"Thefact that urban water agencies like the Metropolitan Water District and theSanta Clara Water District have joined in lawsuits asking for an injunction onthe biological opinion is helpful. Their Congress members need to understandthat these biological opinions, if implemented, put their water supply at graverisk," Costa concluded.

TheAppropriations Committee was marking-up the Energy and Water Developmentappropriations bill, which funds civil works projects of the Army Corps ofEngineers, the Bureau of Reclamation's budget, the Department of Energy, andother agencies. The amendment, offered by Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA44) would have forbid the Bureau of Reclamation or any agency of the State ofCalifornia operating a water project in coordination with the Central Valley orState Water Project from restricting water exports less than historic maximumlevels of water export.