Issue OverviewA complex and inconsistent system of laws, court decisions, and regulations at the state and federal levels is resulting in the mismanagement of critical water resources throughout the Western United States. The current regulatory framework that governs the movement and storage of water is based upon out-of-date science and a regulatory morass, resulting in the misallocation of precious water resources and a lack of adequate water storage. California is enduring its worst drought in 1,200 years, and a growing number of communities across the West have become impacted by severe drought conditions.These shortcomings are negatively impacting local economies across the Western United States, pose an increasing threat to America’s food security, and have placed undue burdens on our environment. Key LegislationH.R. 2898 – Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015 Introduced by Rep. David Valadao (CA-21), H.R. 2898 addresses the underlying policy failures that are contributing to increasingly severe drought conditions in communities in California and across the Western United States. (Click here to learn more). Recent Activity: |
- Four Governors: Federal Overreach Causing Major Problems in the West
Sep 30, 2015 | Press Release
- Resurrecting ‘Eureka’ in California
Sep 21, 2015 | Op-Eds and Speeches
- House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Deliver Relief to People Suffering From Western Drought
Jul 16, 2015 | Press Release
- H.R. 2898: The Bill Where Everybody Wins
Jul 15, 2015 | Blog
- Committee Passes Legislation to Alleviate Drought Impacts in California and the West
Jul 9, 2015 | Press Release
- Committee Passes Legislation to Facilitate New and Expanded Water Storage Projects; Help Ease Western Drought Effects
Sep 18, 2014 | Press Release
- Chairman Hastings’ Remarks at the Annual Meeting of the National Water Resources Association
Apr 2, 2014 | Op-Eds and Speeches
- Obama Administration’s Budget Falls Short for Water Storage, Hydropower and Long-Term Drought Relief
Mar 25, 2014 | Press Release
- FOX News: Farmers Rally to End Man-Made Drought
Mar 21, 2014 | Blog
- Full Committee Oversight Field Hearing on “California Water Crisis and Its Impacts: The Need for Immediate and Long-Term Solutions”
Mar 19, 2014 | 113th Congress Hearing Archives