Fresno, California – In a scathing commentary on the Federal Bureau of Reclamation or USBR, Central Valley leaders panned the USBR as “despicable” for allocating just 5 percent water this year from the Central Valley Project. Even with an improving drought situation in California and reservoirs filling from ample rainfall this season, the USBR’s allocation of just 5 percent will negatively impact agriculture and communities that thrive in the industry say Ag leaders in the Central Valley.
“”Today’s announcement of a five percent water allocation for Fresno County’s West side federal water contractors and a 30 percent allocation for Friant users is despicable. It illustrates the degree of mismanagement and inconsistency by the federal government in operating the Central Valley Project,” says Fresno County Farm Bureau Chief Executive, Ryan Jacobsen.
He went on to say that the federal water policy has failed to provide water, protect fish species and has failed commerce in communities and businesses that need water to survive in the valley.