CONGRESSMAN DAVID VALADAO | Representing the 21st Congressional District of California

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Tuesday, January 3, 2017, the first day of the 115th Congress, Congressmen David G. Valadao (CA-21) introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to modernize water policies throughout the entire Western United States, including in the State of California.

Agriculture drives the American economy and is the backbone of California’s economy, a $35 billion industry that produces over 400 commodities and accounts for over a half of our nation’s fruits and vegetables. The Central Valley is the agriculture powerhouse of the State, yet, securing a reliable water supply continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing the Valley. In addition to cutbacks to farmers, reductions to municipalities, and the threat of heavy fines for groundwater use, California’s Central Valley has been hit especially hard by the lack of rainfall and burdensome federal regulations that limit water deliveries to the Central Valley.

In an effort to provide struggling communities the water they desperately need, Congressman Valadao introduced H.R. 23, the Gaining Responsibility on Water Act, also known as the GROW Act, which works to make more water available to families, farmers, and entire communities in California and bordering Western states.

The legislation provides relief to California families, farmers, and communities by restoring water deliveries that have been drastically reduced over the last two decades as a result of various environmental lawsuits and illogical state and federal regulations. Rep. Valadao’s legislation requires regulators to comply with the bipartisan Bay-Delta Accord, which is consistent with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act. Furthermore, the bill will cut red tape holding back major water storage projects that have been authorized for over a decade, which will aid the entire Western United States during dry years.

Congressman Valadao stated, “This Western drought has had devastating consequences on my constituents in California’s Central Valley; our economy is stagnant and parents are struggling to provide for their children. Now, the entire country feels the consequences of this drought.” He continued, “While we were able to implement temporary provisions in the 114th Congress, a complete and long term agreement is still needed. My bill, the GROW Act will enact policies to expand our water infrastructure and allow for more water conveyance while protecting the water rights of users across the state."

Original cosponsors of the legislation include Reps. Ken Calvert (CA-42), Paul Cook (CA-08), Duncan Hunter (CA-50), Darrell E. Issa (CA-49), Stephen Knight (CA-25), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Tom McClintock (CA-04), Devin Nunes (CA-22), Dana Rohrabacher (CA-48), Edward R. Royce (CA-39), Mimi Walters (CA-45).

The full text of H.R. 23, the GROW Act can be found here.

During the 114th Congress, Congressman Valadao introduced H.R. 2989, the Western Water and American Food Security Act as well as H.R. 2749, the Dams Accountability Maintenance and Safety Act, both aimed at improving water supply to the Central Valley.

Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21^st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties.

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