The Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) responded last week to inquiries placed by Representative Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and Representative TJ Cox (D-Kings) regarding water allocation for the Central Valley Project. Congressmen Costa and Cox co-authored a letter to the USBR in February 2019 requesting an increase in water allocations for the Central Valley Project, citing increased levels of precipitation in recent weeks.
In response, the USBR announced the allocation for North of the Delta, in-Delta, and American River contractors would increase to 100 percent, South-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors would increase to 55 percent, and South-of-Delta municipal and industrial contractors would increase to 80 percent. The USBR reports the added allocations reflect increased rainfall from February 2019 and early March 2019. In a statement, Congressman Cox praised the USBR for increasing the allocations and taking “a step in the right direction.” Congressman Costa was disappointed in the allocation levels and promised to inquire further why the USBR is not allocating more water to the Central Valley, given the historic levels of rainfall for the region.