FRESNO, CA
—
Today, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced a $260 million investment
in California’s water infrastructure. Following that announcement, Congressman
Jim Costa (D-Fresno) released the following statement:
“Secretary Salazar’s
visit to the Valley was a critical trip. I am sure he saw the challenges faced
by those who rely on the Delta as a source of water. While I am thankful for
his desire to visit and see firsthand some of California’s challenges, it
appears that the Department of Interior’s priorities, as they emerged in today’s
announcement of infrastructure projects for California, ignore the critical
needs of an important segment of California’s society and economy, namely the
central San Joaquin Valley.
“The federal investment
of $260 million California’s water infrastructure is a step in the right
direction to help our state’s water challenges. Our water system was built over
fifty years ago, and has not kept up with the state’s population increases. Any
federal investment in water infrastructure must provide adequate water for
farms, for cities and to ensure the health of rivers, lakes, and streams, but
that investment must be balanced. In light of the economic devastation now
taking place in the central San Joaquin Valley due to critical water shortages,
it was hoped that the Department of Interior would dedicate a balanced portion
of the stimulus funding towards projects that would afford the operational
flexibility for providing a reliable supply of water to meet the needs of our
distressed communities.
“Today’s announcement,
however, is very disappointing in that it does little to help our farmers and
farm workers in the next six to twenty-four months, should we continue to
experience ongoing dry circumstances. The major portion of projects identified
is focused on fisheries and environmental projects, and neglects the human
needs. Many towns in my district are experiencing Depression-level unemployment
due to a lack of water for our farms right now. What is unclear is how the
identified projects address these real human needs.
“I will continue to
press President Obama, Secretary Salazar and my colleagues in the House of
Representatives to use all the powers and discretion the federal government has
to bring more water to our region. Finally, I would ask once again the President
and Secretary Salazar to personally visit the central San Joaquin Valley and see
firsthand the misery this water crisis is evoking.”
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