Rep. Calvert Supports California Drought Relief Bill

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a majority of the House in support of H.R. 5781, theCalifornia Emergency Drought Relief Act of 2014,which would provide short-term relief from California's water crisis.

"California's economy is directly linked with a reliable and affordable water supply," said Rep. Calvert. "The bill passed by the House today will take immediate steps to improve the dire drought conditions and provide Californians some short-term certainty that we will be able to utilize whatever rainfall occurs this winter, as opposed to pumping it out into the ocean."

"I know that many of my constituents continue to be frustrated by the regulatory restrictions that have exacerbated the impact of our ongoing drought. Instead of offering solutions to help California families, farmers, and communities, extreme environmental special interest groups and President Obama have voiced their opposition to the bill passed by the House. My constituents need solutions to our water crisis and have grown tired of the usual ‘just say no' attitude that will only jeopardize California's economy."

HR 5781 CA Emergency Drought Relief Summary

• Maximizing Delta Exports for Central and Southern California: Sets Old & Middle River pumping rates at -5,000 cubic feet per second, while allowing Federal regulatory agencies the discretion to reduce pumping under certain instances. This provision would help bring water that is desperately needed to Central and Southern California.

• Capture Storm Water Runoff Moving Through the Delta: Authorizes Federal agencies to increase Old & Middle River pumping rates during the first few storms of the water year. This provision would help bring water that is desperately needed to Central and Southern California.

• Promoting Federal Water Storage Projects in California: Requires the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to report to Congress in 1 year of enactment of this Act on the status of feasibility reports for various Federal water storage projects in California that have been pending for years. Increasing storage in California would allow for the capture of more water during wet years to store for use during dry years.

• Holding Federal Regulatory Agencies Accountable: Requires Federal regulatory agencies to report to Congress every 90 days following enactment of this Act on its implementation.

• Protections for Federal, State, Northern, Central and Southern California Water Contractors: Includes provisions to protect State Water Project contractors, Area of Origin water rights holders, and preserves the existing water rights priority systems in California and Federal law. Also includes language that prevents any adverse redirected impacts to any water contractor in California resulting from implementation of this Act.

• Immediate Emergency Relief: Provisions in this bill expire on September 30, 2016, or when the gubernatorial drought declaration is rescinded, whichever occurs later.

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