Executive Memorandum
On March 21, President Obama issued a memorandum to the heads of the Executive Branch regarding long-term drought resilience. The memorandum directed institutionalizing the National Drought Resilience Partnership, instructing the communication of selected information about drought related threats to infrastructure, assistance of State and Local agencies in planning efforts, and seeking to promote the collection, sharing, and integration of water data with State and local agencies. Read the full text of the memo by clicking here.
World Water Day
In recognition of World Water Day on March 22, the Executive Branch hosted a water summit at the White House consisting of panels and presenters from across the nation. Jerry McNerney, Representative from California District 9, near Stockton, spoke on the Water Infrastructure and Finance panel, while Jared Huffman, Representative from California District 2, on the North Coast, spoke on the Agriculture and Forestry panel. To watch a recording of the full event, click here. The event included an announcement of actions to be taken by government agencies, universities, private industry, special interest groups and nonprofit organizations. Read the full list of actions by clicking here. One such organization, the Family Farm Alliance prepared a report in conjunction with the event compiling the success stories of farmers and ranchers in the West. To read their report, click here.
Representative Jim Costa, from California District 16, spoke on the floor of the House regarding California’s urgent water crisis, underscoring the importance of water to the people of the San Joaquin Valley on all days. Representative Costa called on federal agencies to take specific action to increase federal funding for infrastructure, to increase coordination between local, state and federal agencies to reduce impacts to communities with impaired water quality or reduced access to water supply, and noting a need for increased focus on ensuring that regulations achieve their intended purpose, while minimizing negative effects on impacted communities. Watch Representative Costa’s speech by clicking here.