WASHINGTON – Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) made a strong plea on the House Floor today, urging the Bureau of Reclamation to boost water allocations for South-of-Delta contractors. Valadao stressed the crucial role of California agriculture in the nation’s food supply and the necessity of increased water allocations from Reclamation.
Valadao highlighted the significance of the issue by stating, “California grows a quarter of our nation’s food, so these allocations are critical to the fate of our nation’s food supply. I urge Reclamation to significantly increase these allocations for South-of-Delta water contractors so our communities can meet the nation’s food supply needs.”
The Congressman pointed out the current favorable conditions in California, with the state experiencing its second consecutive wet year. He noted, “Every major reservoir in our state is above the 15-year average, and our snowpack in the Sierras is at more than 100% of the average for this time of year.” Despite these positive indicators, Valadao expressed disappointment that South-of-Delta farmers have not received their full contracted water supply from Reclamation.
Valadao criticized the incremental increases in water allocations, stating, “A 5% increase is insufficient for our family farms and downstream communities who rely on meaningful allocations from Reclamation to grow the food that feeds the world.” He emphasized the critical role of water allocations for food security, asserting that without a reliable water supply for South-of-Delta agriculture, the ability to grow food for the nation would be jeopardized.
The Congressman’s impassioned plea underscores the pressing need for Reclamation to take swift and decisive action to address the water allocation issue and support the agricultural community in meeting the nation’s food supply needs.
