Valadao Statement on Drought Declaration

Statement

This morning, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. declared a Drought State of Emergency in response to record water shortfalls across Californian. According to State water officials, Californian reservoirs are far below record lows and snowpack remains at about 20 percent of average for the year. Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) released the following statement regarding the Drought Declaration announcement:

"California's 21st Congressional District has been hit especially hard by the lack of rainfall and burdensome federal regulations that limit water deliveries to the Central Valley. For the agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley, a drought cannot be solved by simply implementing water conservation efforts. For Valley farms and communities, water conservation is already a part of everyday life. Drought spells absolute disaster for our largest industry and the certain destruction of communities and families throughout California's breadbasket.

"While Governor Brown's declaration will increase awareness among residents and hopefully encourage Californians to conserve water, this declaration will not provide relief for those affected by the drought unless the governor takes decisive actions to address the regulations that are keeping water from flowing to our Valley. Congress has the authority, the ability, and the responsibility to help Californians overcome this crisis and achieve a long term solution. Legislative actions such as providing more flexibility in regulations imposed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Clean Water Act would grant increased water flow to farmers and families. Additional federal funding to invest in water infrastructure storage would ensure a viable contingency plan during future periods of drought.

"Although I appreciate the acknowledgement of this emergency, now is the time for action and leadership; I stand ready to join my colleagues in the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives to provide immediate relief and long term certainty for California."

Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties.

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