Representative Denham’s Response To New Bureau Of Reclamation Allocation Numbers

Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Denham today issued the following statement in response to the ridiculous allocation numbers released by the Bureau of Reclamation yesterday.  The 55% allocation level for South-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors is below the 20-year average final allocation of 62% and shows the severity of the water crisis in the Central Valley.

“It is ridiculous that farmers will only receive 55% of the water allocated to them in their contracts this year,” said Rep. Denham.  “With reservoirs in flood operations and 300,000 acre-feet of water flowing from the Delta into the Pacific Ocean on a daily basis, it is inexcusable that farmers south of the Delta are not receiving 100% allocation.  The Administration’s support of extreme environmental policies has hampered the farmers and families of the Central Valley for too long. The time for inaction is over. In order to bolster the economic growth and create jobs we must get our priorities straight and bring water to the Valley.”