WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement in response to the Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) updated 2024 water allocation announcement for Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors. Reclamation announced a 35% allocation for South-of-Delta agricultural repayment and water service contractors, up from their initial allocation of 15%. Reclamation also announced an updated allocation for Municipal and Industrial repayment and water service contractors to 75% of their historic use, up from 65%.

Since Reclamation’s initial water allocation announcement in February, Congressman Valadao has urged Reclamation to increase these allocations to reflect the record wet year in California.

“These increased allocation numbers are welcome news, but they don’t go far enough to help our CVP contractors who have received well below their contracted supply for years,” said Congressman Valadao. “Recent storms and a strong snowpack should give Reclamation the flexibility to get Central Valley users the water they contract and pay for.”

Background:

Central Valley agriculture contractors rely on meaningful allocations from Reclamation for their yearly planning. Central Valley farmers and communities have endured disproportionately low water allocations for many years, with contractors receiving well below their contracted supply even during wet years. As a lifelong dairy farmer, Congressman Valadao has experienced firsthand the challenges and frustrations surrounding this issue. He has consistently called for CVP allocations to reflect the needs of the agriculture community, the backbone of the Central Valley economy.

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