WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) took to the House Floor to urge the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to significantly increase water allocations for South-of-Delta contractors. Congressman Valadao emphasized the critical role California agriculture plays in the nation’s food supply and the importance of meaningful water allocations from Reclamation: 

“California grows a quarter of our nation’s food, so these allocations are critical to the fate of our nation’s food supply. I urge Reclamation to significantly increase these allocations for South-of-Delta water contractors so our communities can meet the nation’s food supply needs,” said Congressman Valadao.

In March, Reclamation announced a 35% allocation for South-of-Delta agricultural repayment and water service contractors, up from their initial February allocation of 15%. Last week, Reclamation announced these allocations for South-of-Delta contractors would be increasing to 40%.

Remarks as prepared:

California is in its 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.

These conditions SHOULD mean that our farmers and communities are FINALLY getting the water deliveries they desperately need after years of drought.

Sadly, that’s not the case.

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. 

Despite these favorable conditions, our south-of-delta farmers were STILL not allocated 100% of the water they contract and pay for this year from Reclamation.

In February, our South-of-Delta farmers were allocated just 15% of their contracted supply.

In March, these numbers were updated to 35%.

And just last week, these allocations were bumped up to 40% - a mere 5% increase, with no real explanation or transparency on their decision-making process.

A 5% increase is insufficient for our family farms and downstream communities who rely on meaningful allocations from Reclamation to grow the food that feeds the world.

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

I urge Reclamation to significantly increase these allocations for South-of-Delta water contractors so our communities can meet the nation’s food supply needs.

Food security is national security, and our ability to grow food for the nation will not survive without a reliable water supply for South-of-Delta agriculture.