[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2054-E2055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PAJARO VALLEY WATER LEGISLATION

                                 ______


                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 1995

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing 
legislation to resolve a major water resource problem in the Pajaro 
Valley of Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, CA.
  My bill would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into 
any contracts or agreements he deems necessary to assist the Pajaro 
Valley Water Management Agency to implement the provisions of their 
Basin Management Plan for the resolution of the groundwater overdraft 
problems currently being experienced in the area.
  Mr. Speaker, the Pajora Valley is one of the most important 
agricultural regions in this Nation. Agriculture is the foundation for 
the local economy. The Pajora Valley is one of the Nation's major 
producers of strawberries and other vegetable and fruit crops. Last 
year, the valley produced crops with a value in excess of $460 million.
  For over 30 years, however, residents of the area have struggled to 
find a publicly acceptable solution to the problem of groundwater 
overdraft. Groundwater is the only major source of water for more than 
30,000 acres irrigated in the valley. In 1984, the California State 
Legislature, and the citizens of the area, authorized establishment of 
the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency. The agency was directed to 
develop a comprehensive plan for the elimination of the groundwater 
overdraft problem and to find a long-term, stable water supply to 
preserve agriculture in the valley.
  In November, 1993 the Agency finalized the Basin Management Plan 
which presents a comprehensive strategy for solving the groundwater 
overdraft problem in a manner acceptable to local residents. The plan--
or BMP-- is a comprehensive and thorough document. It examined every 
viable option and provides a reasonable set of solutions acceptable to 
local residents.
  The BMP doesn't's look to someone else to finance or solve the 
problems of groundwater overdraft. Rather, it presents a series of 
near- and long-term measures to correct the problem.
  Further, the local resident will not send the bill to someone else. 
The BMP authorizes locally-imposed fees and other charges in order to 
finance implementation of the preferred alternatives. The local 
residents are committed to solving this problem, including paying their 
share of the costs.
  There is, however, one major impediment to successful implementation 
of the BMP. The Secretary of the Interior currently lacks authority to 
enter into contracts or other agreements to implement various aspects 
of the BMP. As a result, the agency is not able to take advantage of 
its entitlement to 19,000 acre-feet of water from the San Felipe Unit, 
Central Valley Project. Without a contract, it will be difficult, if 
not impossible, to secure the financing needed to build the facilities 
outlined in the BMP.
  Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely vital that the groundwater overdraft 
problems of the Pajaro Valley be resolved as soon as possible. The 
future of the local economy is based on continued supply of high 
quality groundwater for the production strawberries and other valuable 
crops.
  The local residents have done their part. They have established a 
local water district, developed a sensible and cost-effective solution, 
and they are willing to pay for it themselves.
  Now it is time for the Federal Government to do its part.

[[Page E2055]]

  We should authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into such 
contracts or agreements as he deems appropriate to help the local 
residents solve this critical problem.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge prompt passage of this important legislation.

                          ____________________