The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) commends yesterday’s drought proclamation from Governor Gavin Newsom announcing the addition of 39 California counties to be included as part of the April 21st emergency drought proclamation.
“The Sierra Nevada snowpack is at the second worst levels since 2002 and yesterday’s announcement is a step in the right direction to provide relief to California’s agricultural and rural communities,” said Ian LeMay, president. “The state is the top producing agricultural region in the world. But it cannot continue to survive without a reliable water resource. While drought is not an unfamiliar foe to Californians, it should be acknowledged that this will be the first drought in the era of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), with the circumstances intensified and the solutions more complex. It is the hope of the Association that yesterday’s announcement is a step to address California’s short and long-term water resiliency.”
With yesterday’s drought proclamation expansion, 41 California counties are now under a state of emergency. This represents 30 percent of the state’s population. The state will invest $5.1 billion in water resiliency and infrastructure efforts. These funds will provide conveyance flexibility for state water officials to expedite the review and processing of voluntary transfers of water right holders. CFFA looks forward to working on behalf of its membership to engage with state and federal officials to address California’s water needs.
For more information:
Ian LeMay
California Fresh Fruit Association
Tel: +1 (559) 226-6330
ilemay@cafreshfruit.com
Courtney Razor
Tel: +1 (559) 226-6330
carazor@cafreshfruit.com
www.cafreshfruit.org