Chair of the Madera County Board of Supervisors, Joins Seven Other Central Valley County Chairs Urging Support for an Emergency Declaration Request
April 20, 2021 - Madera, Calif. — Madera County joins the efforts led by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Andreas Borgeas, to urge state leaders to take immediate steps to address recent water allocations. In a joint letter dated April 19, 2021, eight Central Valley Counties urged for a statewide emergency drought declaration to Governor Gavin Newsom's office (see below).
The letter highlights Agriculture as a cornerstone of local economies and will sustain significant losses as water scarcity becomes a reality. By way of the emergency declaration, water reservoir release standards will be modified to allot for increased water to farms and communities statewide.
Robert Poythress, Chairman of the Madera County Board of Supervisors shared in a statement - "We respectfully request the Governor to push forward the Statewide Emergency Drought Declaration, to better serve our local economies."
April 19, 2021
Governor Gavin Newsom
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: County Leaders Urge Support for Emergency Declaration Request
Dear Governor Newsom;
As chairs of boards of supervisors representing agricultural regions of the San Joaquin Valley, we write to you to express our support of the bipartisan and bicameral request for a statewide emergency drought declaration sent to you on April 7, 2021 by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Andreas Borgeas. In light of the recent water allocation announcement to California farmers and growers, we are waiting to share our concerns and respectfully request that your administration take immediate steps to address this pending statewide emergency. California produces half of the nation's livestock and produce products, which are an essential part of our local economies.
Agriculture is a cornerstone of our local economies and will sustain significant losses as water scarcity becomes a reality. It is estimated that one million acres of land may be fallowed in the San Joaquin Valley over a period of two to three decades as a result of reduced ground and surface water availability. A drought will expedite this loss in productivity and result in thousands of lost jobs.
By providing agencies more flexibility under a state of emergency order, state agencies and stakeholders can work together to adapt to this challenging situation. All tools should be available to minimize red tape for water transfers, and allow state agencies to modify certain reservoir release standards to allow for more water to go to farms and commomities throughout the state. We, the undersigned, respectfully request your administration consider the request for an emergency declaration.
Source: Madera County
