Senator Dianne Feinstein has written Congressmen Devin Nunes, David Valadao, and Kevin McCarthy in response to their letter, saying she has worked as hard as anyone to find solutions for California’s water problems and that suspending the Endangered Species Act is not the answer. In her letter, she notes that she is preparing legislation, but gives no details at this time.
Senator Feinstein begins by saying we all must work together to find solutions, and to suggest that she has been silent or unclear is inaccurate and untrue: “I have worked as hard as anyone to find practical solutions to California’s water problems – solutions that can actually be implemented to deliver more water to those who need it,” noting several of her efforts and accomplishments regarding water banking, water transfers, and storage studies.
In her letter, she reminds the Congressmen of her efforts to reauthorize the CalFed Bay-Delta Restoration Program for the fiscal year 2014, which is a significant source of funding for Federal actions to improve California’s water supply. “Much to my surprise and disappointment, I received very little support from House Republicans to pass these provisions,” she writes, noting that when the fiscal bills were conferenced, House Republicans opposed the measures. “The lack of support and cooperation from the House exacted a heavy price. The Administration originally proposed for CALFED to be reauthorized through Fiscal Year 2018, but it was ultimately reauthorized for only one year solely due to opposition from the House majority, thus putting a crucial California water program in jeopardy for future years when we need it the most.”
Furthermore, she says suspending the application of the Endangered Species Act to the Central Valley Project would not help California overcome the problems. According to Federal and State officials, as long as conditions remain dry, there is very little gain to be made by relaxing the requirements as the water projects are focused on meeting minimum requirements for public health, safety, and water quality. Furthermore, she’s been advised that State Water Project supplies would be impacted because those contractors would still have to meet state endangered species act requirements as well as the State Water Board’s water quality standards, and that regulatory agencies are still obligated to recover those species; post-drought measures are more likely to be even more restrictive. And litigation is highly likely, she cautions.
“I have said repeatedly that I stand ready to collaborate with anyone in good faith to solve California’s water problems. I am already in the process of preparing legislation to provide the maximum level of relief to drought-stricken California. When it is ready, I would be happy to meet and confer with you, along with Senator Boxer and Congressman Costa, so that we can have a discussion about practical and meaningful measures that could garner the support of our congressional colleagues and be enacted into law.
I mean this in all sincerity – I would like us all to move beyond partisan divisions, and work together to provide relief to those Californians suffering from this drought.”
Read the full text of the letter here: Feinstein to Nunes et al
