U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein said that she’s working on legislation that will help provide drought relief to California, which is in the midst of what could be the driest year in recorded history.
Feinstein said in a letter to Representatives Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), David Valadao (R-Hanford) and Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) that “California is in a crisis.”
The situation is more dire because of the extraordinary lack of water, she added.
It is my understanding that today in Bakersfield, members of the House asserted the Senate has failed to act. This is not true. For the past two years I have worked to pass measures to improve water supplies by expediting water transfers, increasing water banking and completing water storage feasibility studies. Last month, the House finally agreed to lift their objection to these measures, which were included in the Omnibus spending bill,” she said.
“Additionally, I have worked with state and federal agencies and water contractors for months to identify administrative actions that could improve water supplies, just as I did in 2010.”
Feinstein said that she is “in the process of preparing legislation to provide the maximum level of relief to drought-stricken California that I intend to introduce soon.”
After an incredibly dry year in 2013, the severe drought across California is worsening or not getting better, spurring concern from across public and private sectors.
