In action Thursday, April 27, the House Natural Resources Committee approved legislation that would authorize a settlement agreement between the United States Department of the Interior and the Westlands Water District, which would, among other things, forgive debt accrued by the Westlands Water District and shift the oversight responsibility of the Westlands drainage plan from federal to state government. In response, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) issued the following statement: “Today I once again took a stand against the authorization of a settlement between the Westlands Water District and the Department of the Interior. “This agreement fails to include key safeguards for the environment and lacks any substantial oversight mechanisms or enforceable milestones.