Statement on Water Allocation Announcement

Washington, DC - Congressman McCarthy issued the following statement in response to the California Department of Water Resources’ allocation announcement:

 
“An adequate and stable water supply is vital to our community and our state’s livelihood and prosperity. While this is an unusually dry year, it is unacceptable that our residents, farmers, and small businesses pay 100% but only receive 5% of the water they contract and pay for. I call on Federal and state officials to take immediate action to increase needed water supplies to the 25 million residents and for the more than 750,000 acres of agricultural land throughout California.  Because of environmental restrictions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta, for years critical water resources have been wasted out into the Pacific Ocean rather than going to water districts in Kern County and throughout California to refill reservoirs or replenish water banks to help ensure our communities have access to reliable and affordable water in dry years. Last Congress, the House passed legislation to address the environmental regulations in the Delta to immediately provide more water to Central and Southern California, but the Senate failed to act.  Today’s announcement is a clarion call to action, and I will continue to work with water leaders along with my colleagues in the House and Senate to bring more water to our community.”