Harder Statement on Governor Newsom’s Executive Order on California Water

WASHINGTON – Representative Josh Harder released the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom's new executive order mandating that the state develop a comprehensive water strategy to assess water infrastructure needs and promote a climate-resilient future.

"I commend Governor Newsom for adopting an all-of-the-above approach to our state's challenges. The spirit of this order is similar to that of my own legislation, the SAVE Water Resources Act, that I announced just last week. Like my bill, the governor's plan focuses on innovative methods of assessing our water needs and how to address those needs. We have to invest in our failing infrastructure, identify surface and groundwater demands, and assess the progress we've made on voluntary settlement negotiations on the state's water quality plan. All of these important steps are included in the governor's proposal.

"At the same time, I am concerned that proposing a Delta tunnel would fall into the trap of believing that we can solve our water problems by taking it from someone else. That's a complete non-starter for me. Taking water from the Central Valley and diverting it down South is unsustainable and hurts the families and farmers in my community who rely on that water. I look forward to working with Governor Newsom to protect California's water supply without jeopardizing the needs of the Central Valley."