[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 33 (Thursday, March 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SACRAMENTO-SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY WATER RELIABILITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 29, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1837) to 
     address certain water-related concerns on the San Joaquin 
     River, and for other purposes:

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chair, I rise to speak against this hazardous piece 
of legislation.
   H.R. 1837 is an assault on the environment and on the state of 
California. It would lead to gridlock in the Delta with potentially 
disastrous consequences for ecosystems and communities throughout our 
state.
   This bill would undermine years of bipartisan compromise, and would 
prohibit California from following established precedent in managing 
its own water resources.
   The policies in place today have been carefully crafted by broad 
consensus and represent the needs of a variety of stakeholders.
   The success of these policies prove that cooperative and fair 
governance are the best way to protect natural resources, promote 
conservation and boost California's economy.
   For example, the Delta Protection Commission has determined that the 
Delta region provides nearly $800 million in annual agricultural 
revenues and $250 million in revenue related to recreation. This is due 
to sound management of the commons by an extensive network of public-
private partnerships in my State.
   But H.R. 1837 would reduce water quality and reliability for Delta 
communities and farmers--diverting water supply from North of the Delta 
to agribusiness in the South, and seriously damaging Delta agriculture, 
a $4.2 billion dollar industry.
   Nearly every environmental group in the country opposes this bill 
because of the devastating effects it would have on the San Joaquin 
River Valley.
   And, hundreds of fishing groups oppose this bill because it would 
divert water from the Delta, leaving 40 miles of the San Joaquin River 
completely dry in most years.
   This would devastate the restoration of the river, and the salmon 
and steelhead that depend on it, hurting our state's fishermen, 
including many that call the Central Coast home.
   This bill also disregards the best available science, repeals 
environmental protections, and damages local tourism.
   That's why our state's two Senators, the California Department of 
Natural Resources, and the California Attorney General oppose this 
bill.
   Mr. Chair, water management is a growing challenge across the 
nation, particularly in the West.
   Developing balanced water solutions is essential to California's 
long-term economic and environmental health.
   California deserves sound water policy that benefits all 
Californians, not just the needs of a few.
   I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation.

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