Yesterday, the Bureau of Reclamation signed a Record of Decision modifying the long-term operations of California’s Central Valley Project. Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

“Through this record of decision, the Trump administration is unleashing critical water deliveries to the agriculture-rich Central Valley while maintaining safeguards for endangered fish species. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Burgum for their commitment to common-sense water management on behalf of families and farms in Central California.”

Background

The Record of Decision signed yesterday makes modifications to the Long-Term Operations of the Central Valley Project. These operational changes are within the scope of existing ESA coverage for project operations and will have a significant impact on water supply throughout the State. The Record of Decision advances President Trump’s Executive Order 14181, “Emergency Measures to Provide Water Resources in California and Improve Disaster Response in Certain Areas.”

According to the Department of the Interior, the changes will yield up to 180,000 and 220,000 acre-feet of additional annual water deliveries for the Central Valley Project and State Water Project, respectively, and include:

·     Adjustments to Delta export operations.

·     Removal of the Delta Summer and Fall Habitat Action.

Removal of early export-reduction concepts from the State of California’s Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program.