Friday, July 20, 2018

Delta Advocates Slam Power Play by Zinke and Denham

Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke came to California today, hosted by Congressman Jeff Denham, who represents the 10th district which covers the northern part of the San Joaquin Valley. He is touring two dams and reservoirs in the Sierras. The visit is a power play by Republicans in Congress and their agribusiness donors, who are frustrated by their inability to totally control water decisions in California. Denham along with California Congressmen Ken Calvert and David Valadao inserted three riders to the Interior Department appropriations bill. The riders would allow federal regulators to divert more water to agribusiness, while shifting power over the state’s water allocation decisions to the federal government. That bill passed the House on July 19th. At a press briefing at Denham’s field office in Modesto today, Bay-Delta advocates slammed Denham and Zinke for betraying the right of Californians to control their own water, and legally challenge water projects. Vic Bedoian reports from Modesto.