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Today, Congressman Devin Nunes reacted to passage of the San Joaquin River Settlement legislation (see video).

“Today’s action by Congress represents a major setback for our region. The officials responsible will be remembered as architects of the economic and environmental catastrophe that follows,” said Rep. Nunes.

The San Joaquin River Settlement legislation will force the diversion of 250,000 acre feet of surface water in order to accommodate the creation of a new salmon fishery – a fishery experts believe will not succeed. These diversions come at a time when many communities across the valley are already faced with critically low ground water supplies, water quality issues, as well as ongoing legal challenges threatening further losses.

“The outlook is grim and there is no way to sugar coat the seriousness of the challenge before us. I expect 300,000 acres of farmland to be forced out of production thanks to this backwards approach to restoring the San Joaquin River. Additionally, this legislation will eliminate all hope for construction of Temperance Flat, a new reservoir urgently needed to address the ongoing ground water shortage throughout the San Joaquin Valley,” said Rep. Nunes.

Nunes, the author of legislation in 2003 that authorized a new feasibility study for the construction of Temperance Flat, has long warned Friant and others involved in the San Joaquin River Settlement talks about the unintended consequences of their actions. He provided alternative restoration proposals, as well as options to recover water lost during restoration. None of Nunes’ suggestions were accepted by Friant or the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“It is hard to imagine a more flawed approach than the one Congress has taken today. Greed, dishonesty and the vain hope of relief from lawsuits seemed to be the primary motivation for passage of this deal,” said Rep. Nunes.