California, Oregon Senators Introduce Drought Relief Legislation

Press Release

Senators from California and Oregon today introduced the California Emergency Drought Relief Act of 2014, a bill to help California and Oregon farmers, businesses and communities suffering from historic drought conditions.

The legislation--which comes on the heels of weekend rain in California and Oregon and snow in the Sierra--was introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (both D-Calif.) and Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (both D-Ore.).

The drought, which could be worse than the historic dry conditions of 1976 and 1977, already threatens California's $44.7 billion agriculture sector. Safe drinking water is also in danger of running out in at least 10 California communities.

Senator Feinstein said: "This drought has the potential to devastate Western states, especially California, and Congress and the president must take swift action. This bill provides operational flexibility to increase water supplies and primes federal agencies to make the best use of any additional rain. With so little water available, we must focus on streamlining federal programs and provide what assistance we can to those farmers and communities being hit the hardest."

Senator Boxer said: "Our bill will require all agencies to use their existing authority to help provide relief to communities hardest hit by this unprecedented drought and make investments to move and conserve water to help our entire state. The goal of this bill is to bring us together to address this crisis, rather than divide us."

Senator Wyden said: "Drought is already hitting Southern Oregon farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin, with Klamath County issuing a drought declaration two months earlier than last year. This bill can provide sorely needed relief by making sure that agencies can send scarce water to the communities that need it the most."

Senator Merkley said: "Even though the Willamette Valley was hit hard by snow over the weekend, Oregon is still experiencing a terrible drought, especially in Southern Oregon. Snowpack in the Klamath Basin is only 20% of normal. We need to start preparing now because water shortages are nearly inevitable. This bill will provide emergency funding for important drought-relief projects that will help conserve water where we can and make sure the water we have gets to where it's needed most."

The bill, which does not waive any federal or state law, includes a range of provisions that require federal agencies use existing powers to maximize water supplies, reduce project review times and ensure water is directed to users whose need is greatest. The bill also provides $300 million in emergency funds to be used on a range of projects to maximize water supplies for farmers, consumers and municipalities and provide economic assistance.

Maintaining sufficient supplies of safe drinking water to meet minimum public health and safety needs is a top priority in the bill. One key grant program, the Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants, will receive $25 million for projects to increase the availability of drinking water. Additionally, the bill prioritizes grant funding under EPA's Drinking and Clean Water State Revolving Funds and the Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART program for projects that boost drinking and municipal water supplies.