June 3, 2004
Lieutenant General Robert B. Flowers
Commander and Chief of Engineers
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
441 G Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20314
The Honorable John W. Keys, III
Commissioner
Bureau of Reclamation
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
Dear General Flowers & Commissioner Keys:
I have just learned about the levee break in the San Joaquin River Delta that occurred this morning near Stockton, California.
I am deeply concerned about the effect of this on the quantity and quality of water that is exported to water users south of the delta in the Silicon Valley, the cities of Tracy and Coalinga, and farmers in the San Joaquin Valley due to the 80% reduction in pumping. I am also concerned about the impact on the State Water Project, which supplies water to Southern California. I understand that those pumps are now off. This situation is exacerbated by the ongoing drought, which has drawn down water storage throughout California.
I would appreciate being kept apprised of your strategies for addressing this situation, both in the short and mid-term. For example, does the Army Corps have adequate resources at hand to make necessary repairs? Also, what is the outlook for meeting water users' needs until the circumstances stabilize. I appreciate the quick notification and status update that my office received from the Bureau of Reclamation this morning. Please feel free to call my Acting State Director Tom Bohigian at 559-497-5109, should you have questions or response to this letter.
In advance, I thank you for your attention to this serious matter.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator