Here are the reactions that I have found so far today to the passage of Senator Feinstein’s drought legislation yesterday. They are listed in alphabetical order:
From the NRDC:
Today, the U.S. Senate passed S. 2198 (Feinstein), drought legislation that overrides protections for salmon and steelhead in California’s Bay-Delta estuary. The bill will now be negotiated with the House of Representatives, which earlier this year voted to enact legislation (H.R. 3964) that would eviscerate federal protections for salmon and other endangered fisheries, the Bay-Delta estuary, and the San Joaquin River, while also preempting state law.
Following is a statement from Doug Obegi, NRDC staff attorney:
“The drought legislation the Senate passed today is no solution to California’s water woes, and ensuing negotiations with the House could make it even worse. This shortsighted bill overrides protections for salmon and steelhead in the Bay-Delta and the thousands of fishing jobs that depend on them. Exacerbating the effects of the drought for Delta fisheries means that California will have to do even more to restore and protect water quality and supply from this crucial source.
“Drought, not protections for endangered fisheries, is the primary cause of low water supplies across the state. We can’t make it rain, and rather than pursuing divisive measures that threaten the health of California’s Bay-Delta estuary and rivers, Congressional leaders should be pursuing real 21st century solutions that protect our environment and water supply. We already know these solutions work. In the past decade alone, we’ve created more than 2 million acre feet of new water per year for California’s cities and farms through water smart practices like increased efficiency, stormwater capture and recycling.”
From Western Growers Association:
We are pleased that the drought bill has moved out of the Senate. The effort by Senators Feinstein and Boxer to convince their Republican and Democratic colleagues of California’s pressing need for action has been commendable, and we applaud that significant effort. We are also aware of Members of the California Republican House delegation to reach out to Senate Republicans to lend help and sincerely appreciate it.
It is our strong belief that this spirit of cooperation among the Democratic and Republican Members of the California delegation to move on this Senate bill will carry over into the conference between both chambers. Indeed, without such cooperation we know nothing will be accomplished.
Members of the Western Growers Board of Directors spent all this week in Washington. It was clear from every conversation we had on water that the concern over this issue has never been higher. Our board members, some of whom are suffering already from the effects of the drought, are all convinced that the leaders who are going to be part of the conference negotiations are all resolved to accomplish something for the greater good.
It is now time for solution-oriented work to begin in conference with the bill passed in the House of Representatives. It is our hope that the spirit of cooperation and bipartisanship prevail during that process.”
Source: Western Growers Statement on Passage of Feinstein/Boxer Drought Relief Act
From Westlands Water District:
Westlands Water District General Manager Thomas Birmingham issued the following statement upon the passage by the United States Senate of the Emergency Drought Relief Act, sponsored by Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer:
“Passage of this legislation by the Senate marks an important milestone in the effort by members of California’s congressional delegation from both sides of the aisle to provide some relief from the disastrous human and economic impacts of drought and restrictions imposed on operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project under the Endangered Species Act and other federal regulations. The fact that this bill passed by unanimous consent is a testament to the hard work of Senator Feinstein, with support from Senator Boxer and members of the House of Representatives, to explain to senators from other states the urgent need for and the importance of this legislation to the people of California.”
“Westlands Water District expresses its great appreciation for the hard work of Senator Feinstein and her colleagues in obtaining passage of this legislation. We look forward to working with Senator Feinstein and Members of the House in their efforts to reconcile this legislation with legislation that has already passed in the House. It is Westlands’ hope that this process can begin quickly, and we are confident that Senator Feinstein and her colleagues in the House will be able to identify common sense solutions that will restore water supplies, while providing reasonable protections for fish. The tens-of-thousands of people who otherwise will be unemployed and the welfare of people around the state depend on a meaningful compromise being reached quickly.”
Source: 2014.WWD Passage of the Emergency Drought Relief Act
