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Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chair, I rise to speak against this hazardous piece of legislation.
H.R. 1837 is an assault on the environment and on the state of California. It would lead to gridlock in the Delta with potentially disastrous consequences for ecosystems and communities throughout our state.
This bill would undermine years of bipartisan compromise, and would prohibit California from following established precedent in managing its own water resources.
The policies in place today have been carefully crafted by broad consensus and represent the needs of a variety of stakeholders.
The success of these policies prove that cooperative and fair governance are the best way to protect natural resources, promote conservation and boost California's economy.
For example, the Delta Protection Commission has determined that the Delta region provides nearly $800 million in annual agricultural revenues and $250 million in revenue related to recreation. This is due to sound management of the commons by an extensive network of public-private partnerships in my State.
But H.R. 1837 would reduce water quality and reliability for Delta communities and farmers--diverting water supply from North of the Delta to agribusiness in the South, and seriously damaging Delta agriculture, a $4.2 billion dollar industry.
Nearly every environmental group in the country opposes this bill because of the devastating effects it would have on the San Joaquin River Valley.
And, hundreds of fishing groups oppose this bill because it would divert water from the Delta, leaving 40 miles of the San Joaquin River completely dry in most years.
This would devastate the restoration of the river, and the salmon and steelhead that depend on it, hurting our state's fishermen, including many that call the Central Coast home.
This bill also disregards the best available science, repeals environmental protections, and damages local tourism.
That's why our state's two Senators, the California Department of Natural Resources, and the California Attorney General oppose this bill.
Mr. Chair, water management is a growing challenge across the nation, particularly in the West.
Developing balanced water solutions is essential to California's long-term economic and environmental health.
California deserves sound water policy that benefits all Californians, not just the needs of a few.
I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation.
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