Jim Costa
01/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/20/2026 11:36
Costa Celebrates California's Return to Drought-Free Conditions, Calls for Strong Water Allocations for Valley Agriculture
FRESNO, CA - Following a report from the U.S. Drought Monitor confirming that California is no longer experiencing drought conditions statewide for the first time since 2000, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement:
"While I am pleased to hear that California is currently alleviated of drought conditions, this marks a crucial moment to ensure that our farmers, ranchers, and dairymen and women receive a strong allocation in the coming weeks," said Rep. Costa. "Agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley heavily depends on an early and robust water allocation to not only secure financing for the year, but determine whether certain row crops and permanent crops can be planted. Due to recent atmospheric rivers, California's reservoirs are nearly at capacity and precipitation has far exceeded previous averages. Such conditions must be reflected in the coming water allocation from the Bureau of Reclamation.
"I will continue to work with State and Federal officials to ensure that the Central Valley Project and State Water Project are operated utilizing real-time adaptive management practices, not outdated assumptions. We have continually invested in expanding and improving upon California's water storage and conveyance infrastructure. Operations of such infrastructure must reflect these favorable conditions."
"While I am pleased to hear that California is currently alleviated of drought conditions, this marks a crucial moment to ensure that our farmers, ranchers, and dairymen and women receive a strong allocation in the coming weeks," said Rep. Costa. "Agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley heavily depends on an early and robust water allocation to not only secure financing for the year, but determine whether certain row crops and permanent crops can be planted. Due to recent atmospheric rivers, California's reservoirs are nearly at capacity and precipitation has far exceeded previous averages. Such conditions must be reflected in the coming water allocation from the Bureau of Reclamation.
"I will continue to work with State and Federal officials to ensure that the Central Valley Project and State Water Project are operated utilizing real-time adaptive management practices, not outdated assumptions. We have continually invested in expanding and improving upon California's water storage and conveyance infrastructure. Operations of such infrastructure must reflect these favorable conditions."
Jim Costa published this content on January 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 20, 2026 at 17:36 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]