WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) took to the House Floor to urge the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to increase water allocations for South-of Delta agricultural repayment and water service contractors. In February, Reclamation announced an initial allocation of 15% for South-of-Delta agricultural repayment and water service contractors.

Congressman Valadao highlighted that every major reservoir in California is above the 15-year average, and the snowpack in the Sierras is at more than 100% of the average for this time of year.

“I urge Reclamation to increase these allocations for South-of-Delta water contractors to reflect the record year that we are surviving in right now. Our ability to grow food for the nation will not survive without a reliable water supply for South-of-Delta agriculture,” said Congressman Valadao.

Remarks as Delivered: 

M. Speaker,

After years of exceptional drought, California is in a second consecutive wet year.

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.

This is all good news. But even with this current abundance of water, our south-of-delta farmers were STILL not allocated 100% of the water they contract and pay for this year.

This is unacceptable.

Central Valley Project contractors rely on meaningful allocations from the Bureau of Reclamation for their yearly planning – including the type of crops they’ll plant and when.

California grows a quarter of the nation’s food, and these allocations are critical to the fate of our nation’s food supply.

My farmers and communities have endured disproportionately low water allocations for many years, while contractors receiving well below their contracted supply even during wet years.

I urge Reclamation to increase these allocations for South-of-Delta water contractors to reflect the record year that we are surviving in right now.

Our ability to grow food for the nation will not survive without a reliable water supply for South-of-Delta agriculture.