Central Valley Project
Credit: USBR

January 13, 2023 - WASHINGTON - In his continued efforts to improve the management of California’s water system, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, and California Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, Wade Crowfoot, to advocate for the maximum conservation of available surface water, including pumping at the southern Delta Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP) pumping plants. Taking these steps would replenish our depleted reservoirs and provide more water availability for future use. 

“As I have said before, we cannot continue to operate on a calendar-based approach but rather a dynamic approach that responds to shifting and extreme weather patterns. This situation calls for the exact adaptive management and water operations strategies that we need to improve drought resilience in a future with extreme weather and climate change and which are allowed under the 2019 biological opinions… 

Community drinking water systems, agriculture, and listed species that occupy managed wetlands alike would benefit from an increased supply of stored water for use during the next dry period. If the 2022 water year is any indication, that could come as soon as next month. It makes NO sense to miss the opportunity created by the extraordinary wet conditions California is now experiencing.” 

A copy of the letter can be found here.

Jim Costa represents California's 21st Congressional District, which includes parts of Fresno and Tulare counties.
Source: Congressman Jim Costa