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Dr. Ruiz Leads Members of the CA Congressional Delegation in Letter Urging Governor to Declare Drought Emergency in California

January 16, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) led a group of California lawmakers in urging Governor Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency due to drought conditions across California. This declaration would make California eligible for federal assistance to moderate damage caused by drought.

In the letter the lawmakers write: “Given that the most recent Department of Water Resources snowpack survey showed that the snowpack is 20 percent of normal, we must ensure that the federal agencies have the authority to take action. Congress has taken the necessary steps, and we respectfully ask that you declare a drought emergency so that these provisions are put in place right away."

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 that passed the House yesterday included provisions that reauthorized the Bureau of Reclamation’s Emergency Drought Relief Act serving to help mitigate drought damage. The Governor must first issue a drought declaration in the state prior to the Secretary of Interior determining whether assistance is merited.

Last year was the driest year in California history forcing the Coachella Valley to rely more heavy on aquifers that are being depleted. Water that typically is used to replenish the aquifer comes through a water banking agreement with the Metropolitan Water District. This replenishment is put in jeopardy due to the continuing drought conditions.

Members of the California Congressional delegation on this letter include;Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-36), Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16), Rep. John Garamendi (CA-3), Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), Rep. Doris O. Matsui (CA-6), Rep. Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Rep. Sam Farr (CA- 20), Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod (CA-35), Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-9), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41), and Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-2).


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