New Letter: Harder Pushes President Biden for Major Disaster Declaration on Extreme Drought in California

WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) sent a new letter to President Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell in support of the State of California's request for a major disaster declaration in response to the ongoing extreme drought and wildfire conditions. A major disaster declaration would unlock resources and coordination to help Central Valley farmers and communities adapt and recover from the dual threats of extreme drought and wildfires. Right now, almost 50% of California is experiencing the most extreme category of drought measured by the US government.

"Farmers in the Central Valley are making the hardest decisions imaginable right now– whether to tear up their orchards and fallow their fields because they just can't get enough water. At the same time, this drought is fueling wildfires that are so bad they're polluting our air and endangering our communities," said Rep. Harder. "For months I've been sounding the alarm bell on the crisis of extreme drought and wildfire in our state, and now I've written directly to President Biden and Administrator Criswell so we can get the resources we deserve. Our Valley feeds the nation and I won't let it run dry."

This week, Rep. Harder spent time with farmers in the Valley to hear from them directly. Photos available for public use online here.

Read the letter below and online here.

Dear Mr. President and Administrator Criswell,

I write in strong support of the State of California's request, along with other Western states, for a major disaster declaration in response to the ongoing western drought conditions. Federal resources and coordination are urgently needed to help our communities adapt and recover from the dual threats of extreme drought and wildfires.

The entirety of California is in drought—with almost fifty percent of the state experiencing the most severe level of drought, exceptional drought. This is forcing farmers in the Central Valley to tear up orchards and fallow fields that would otherwise feed America's families. During a pandemic where food supply chains have become involatile, worsening food insecurity, this is simply unacceptable. Drought is also exacerbating a historically severe wildfire season that is destroying communities, producing unhealthy air quality, and already outpacing the size and scope of last year's wildfire season.

These drought conditions and high temperatures are expected to last through November of this year. In California, statewide rainfall totals for this year were less than 50 percent of the average and snowpack levels, which are critical to my state's reservoir supply levels, peaked at just 70 percent of the average. Given the long-term impacts this drought could have on our nation's food supply, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) drought disaster declaration would make funding available for our farmers to weather this crisis and is needed now more than ever.

It's clear that more investments are needed in longer term strategies to build resiliency in Western states to the effects of climate change—particularly wildfires and droughts. This FEMA drought declaration will be an important step to protect our farmers and agricultural communities. Given the severe impacts of this drought, I request an expeditious approval of this request.

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