With an eye toward aiding agriculture, Congressman Adam Gray (D-Merced) recently introduced a bill that would ensure Central Valley farmers and producers receive reliable water deliveries to support their operations. The Valley Water Protection Act would amend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to protect impacted farmers from national security threats or regional economic harm related to ESA listing enforcement activity. Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) joined Congressman Gray to co-lead the bill.

“Valley farmers and producers are the backbone of our community’s economy but increasingly have to worry about whether they will have reliable access to the water necessary to continue their production,” said Congressman Gray. “For years, greedy state and federal bureaucrats have attempted to rob the Valley of its water in favor of San Francisco and Los Angeles elites, jeopardizing the agricultural production that funds our state and feeds the country. By introducing the Valley Water Protection Act, I’m sending those who would dry out the Valley a clear message: the tap is turned off.”

Others are voicing their support for the act as well.

“While TID continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving ecosystems and the environment, it is critical that the potential significant economic impacts of Endangered Species Act regulation are understood and considered,” said Brad Koehn, General Manager of Turlock Irrigation District. “We appreciate Congressman Gray for introducing this bill, which recognizes that improving conditions for species does not need to come at the expense of water security, reliable power, and economic prosperity for our communities and will restore much needed balance to ESA implementation.”

The Valley Water Protection Act would amend the Endangered Species Act to protect against national security threats and/or regional economic harm.

Specifically, this bill would allow access to the exemption process where a reasonable and prudent alternative or modification to a proposed agency action may impair national security or regional economic impacts. This would allow a permit application to apply for an exemption and prompt the Secretary of Interior to report to the Endangered Species Act Committee what impairment of national security or economic impacts would result before the Committee makes a decision on the exemption application.

“The Endangered Species Act is long overdue for an overhaul and we applaud Representative Gray for introducing this bill that would take an important step toward that goal,” said Jimi Netniss, General Manager of Modesto Irrigation District. “The time is now for all stakeholders to obtain relief from the application of the ESA that results in significant adverse impacts to our communities and regional economies. This bill will begin to rein in some of the overreach, and I urge its enactment by Congress.”

Congressman Gray represents California’s 13th Congressional District, spanning the San Joaquin Valley.