U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY) released a statement on his website last week, explaining to his constituents the reasoning behind his vote to support H.R. 2898, the Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015. The bill passed the House by a vote of 245-176.
“This legislation would take immediate action to relieve farmers, residents and businesses from the devastating effects of the ongoing California drought, (a drought) which is so severe that the governor of California has declared a state of emergency,” Hanna said.
Essentially, H.R. 2898 would clean up, clarify and streamline a number of disjointed water-management and regulatory restrictions that many believe actually have artificially magnified the drought’s impact. Specifically, the bill mandates the implementation of more practical and transparent water-management plans for federal projects, taking into account the best-available scientific practices. Under the new law, more water would be pumped from reservoirs near the coast to users inland during California’s season of high rainfall. In addition, the legislation would streamline the burdensome permit process for water-storage projects, which would make it much easier and more practical for agencies to prepare for future droughts.
“I supported this legislation because it takes decisive steps to divert water to the drought-stricken Central Valley, which produces nearly 60 percent of our nation’s vegetables, and a significant number of the fruits and nuts we consume in New York,” Hanna said. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently warned that if drought conditions continue in the valley, consumers around the country could soon see dramatic increases in retail food prices. The bill takes a balanced approach to addressing drought conditions today and moving forward, while still promoting conservation of the environment and vulnerable species within it.”
Hanna has represented New York’s 22nd District in the House of Representatives since 2011. Born in Utica, New York, in 1951, Hanna was educated at Reed College. He serves on the following committees: Committee on Education and the Workforce, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Committee on Small Business.