June 25, 2015

Western Growers Announces Support of Western Water Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For interviews, contact:        
Cory Lunde
Director of Strategic Initiatives & Communications
(949) 885-2264
or
Jeff Janas
Communications Manager
(949) 885-2318

IRVINE, Calif. (June 25, 2015) — Statement by Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif in support of the Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015 introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today:

“The House water supply legislation offered today appropriately focuses on using the infrastructure we have now in a more balanced way to protect California’s economy and endangered species, and places needed emphasis on creating new water infrastructure to prepare our state for a changing climate. The legislation offers similar common sense measures for drought-stricken states throughout the West. We applaud House Members who have drafted the bill and we encourage other members of the House to engage on this legislation and push forward a Western drought relief bill as swiftly as possible.

Obviously, legislation needs to advance in the Senate as well and we strongly encourage Senators from drought-impacted Western states to likewise take up and move drought legislation.

For too many years, predating the current drought, we have pleaded for Congress to enact bipartisan solutions that will restore reasonable surface water supplies to farms and communities in Central and Southern California, and to bring needed storage projects throughout the West closer to reality. Our members cannot withstand more partisan fighting that results in nothing being done. We hope today marks a truly new beginning.”