Last month the U.S. House of Representatives took the all-important step of passing legislation aimed at easing the crisis caused by the now four-year-old drought in much of the west.
That bill, HR 2898, the Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015, is sponsored by Congressman David Valadao (CA-21). California's dairy farm families thank the Congressman and the fourteen cosponsors from the state for their efforts to pass this bill after many months of negotiating with their Senate counterparts on ways to address the drought crisis.
This bill works for several reasons. It uses current science to update water storage and movement technology and infrastructure and delivers improved wildlife habitat. It streamlines permitting to build new and expand existing water storage facilities. This bill would also streamline decision-making by federal regulators during crises like the one we're faced with in California while protecting existing water rights.
As a farmer, it is important to me to point out that Congressman Valadao's bill is a food security bill for our country. It is also a food safety bill and a food affordability bill. As a Californian it is important to me that this is also a jobs bill.
This bill has made it the furthest of any attempt to date to address the drought at the federal level. Californians deserve to have these efforts continue when the Congress returns to Washington, D.C. next month. HR 2898 would be a good place to resume discussions on addressing the ongoing water crisis in our state.
Frank Mendonsa
Dairyman, Tipton, CA
President, Western United Dairymen Board of Directors
9.2.2015