The California Chamber of Commerce and a coalition of Western farmers, ranchers and businesses, as well as urban, suburban and rural residents, are urging members of a U.S. Senate committee to put aside partisan differences and work together to produce comprehensive drought legislation that can be passed and signed into law this year. In its letter to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the coalition said it is confident the committee can draw upon a strong foundation to create this legislation. Over 2015, the committee has considered a multitude of bills addressing short-, medium- and long-term aspects of the drought, both throughout the West as well as on a state-specific scale. During an October 8 drought hearing, the committee looked at legislation that would have an impact on New Mexico, as well as two bills—H.R. 2898 by California Representative David Valadao (R-Hanford) and S. 1894 by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-San Francisco)—that could have positive impacts in California and other Western states. Further strong leadership will be required in order to find consensus on this legislation intended to address the drought in California and across the West, the coalition said. Water Challenges Water challenges in the West are [...]
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