LaMalfa Praises Bureau of Reclamation’s New Science-Based Regulation of Klamath Basin
 

Congressman Doug LaMalfa PRESS RELEASE 1/20/21

 
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Reclamation released a new analysis that will change its Endangered Species Act compliance approach at the Klamath Project. LaMalfa has prioritized working locally and with the federal government to find a solution since organizing public meetings on this issue last summer.

 

Rep. LaMalfa stated, “Reclamation’s decision to reanalyze its faulty regulatory approach and recognize that the people, not the government, own this water is a beneficial outcome for farmers and ranchers as well as our native fish species. This would not have happened without the willingness of Trump Administration officials to grant my request to visit the Klamath Basin firsthand, listen directly to local needs and commit to using the best available science. I especially want to recognize Commissioner Burman, Secretary Bernhardt and Regional Administrator Souza for their resolve in fixing this problem, and I look forward to continuing this work with Reclamation under the Biden Administration to see this regulatory approach implemented.”

 

Rep. LaMalfa has long advocated for a reassessment of the science that led to overregulation of the Klamath Basin under the ESA that severely restricted water use. In July of 2020, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman, and Fish and Wildlife Service Administrator Paul Souza visited the Klamath Basin at Rep. LaMalfa’s request and soon after announced the investment of $1.2 million in new science for the Klamath Project. The new analysis was released Monday, January 18, 2021.

 

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.