Boxer Statement on Announcement of Increased Water Supplies for California Farmers

Washington, D.C. – U. S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today praised the U.S. Department of the Interior’s announcement that the Bureau of Reclamation’s 2010 Central Valley Project Water Supply allocations continue to increase throughout the San Joaquin Valley. The allocations were the result of increased water supplies due to favorable weather conditions, and better water management.

Senator Boxer said, “I am pleased that water allocations to the San Joaquin Valley have continued to increase throughout this spring. The Congress and the Administration must continue to work together on efforts to provide relief to farmers and communities facing water shortages.”

The Bureau of Reclamation announced today that water allocations for agricultural water service contractors south of the Delta have increased to 45 percent – up from the 40 percent allocation announced in May.

In March, at the urging of Senator Boxer, Senator Dianne Feinstein, and Congressmen Jim Costa and Dennis Cardoza, the Bureau of Reclamation released its first update to initial allocations early so that farmers could make informed planting decisions.

At that time, the agency also agreed to pursue a series of other measures to provide additional supplies to the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. Senator Boxer has joined in meetings with Senator Feinstein, Department of Interior officials and other members of Congress to develop these short- and long-term measures to address water shortages in the Central Valley.