A Warning to Calif. Regarding Lack of Water

Bakersfield Gathering Identifies 
Major Stressors to Valley Water Supply

By Don A. Wright, California Ag Today, Contributor

A letter signed by 15 Congressmen, 11 California State Senators and 23 Assembly members was sent to President Obama and Govern Brown urging them to help avoid an economic and social disaster by (instructing federal and state agencies to) allow more water to be diverted for beneficial use. The letter also urges more storage and protection of water rights.
        
Congressman David Valadao R-21st and State Senator Jean Fuller R-18th held a press conference at the Kern County Water Agency headquarters TODAY. The elected officials were joined by state and federal water contractors to shout a warning that California’s system is far too heavy on regulation and far too light on infrastructure.

Abuse of the Endangered Species Act and an aging storage/delivery system designed to serve only half the state’s current population was identified as the two most serious impediments to secure water deliveries vital to the San Joaquin Valley’s economy.
        
California’s Department of Water Resources announced an initial allocation of only five-percent of contracted State Water Project supplies. While the US Bureau of Reclamation has yet to announced an allocation to Central Valley Project contractors Westlands Water District’s deputy General Manager Jason Peltier said his district is gearing up for zero allocations.

Peltier added this could force 400,000 acres of farmland to lie fallow this coming year. The cost to the local economy could easily total billions of dollars. Senator Fuller urged anyone desiring more information to contact the Kern County Water Agency.

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