A long list of agricultural interests across the west, including more than 40 groups in California, sent a letter this week to the Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee urging action this year on drought legislation. Despite a wetter than normal winter, the letter states the worst drought in centuries requires Congress mandate more flexibility from federal agencies that manage water projects, more storage and better infrastructure, and reliance on better technology to manage water and environmental demands.
Legislation passed the House last year to reduce environmental restrictions on water deliveries, but the Senate has not acted on drought legislation. Last month, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer reintroduced their drought legislation, S. 2533, to direct federal agencies to exercise more flexibility in managing water supplies while maintaining existing environmental restrictions. The bill also authorizes $1.2 billion in water storage and infrastructure improvements, and revises federal programs to assist with additional water infrastructure investment.
The letter can be accessed here.