11 West Coast lawmakers oppose Feinstein on valley water
By: Michael Doyle

WASHINGTON – Sen. Dianne Feinstein's effort to divert more water to San Joaquin Valley farms hit a serious obstacle Thursday as 11 of her fellow congressional Democrats voiced their objections.

Citing potential dangers both to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and to the West Coast salmon industry, lawmakers from California, Oregon and Washington wrote Feinstein, bluntly urging her to withdraw her controversial water proposal.

"I think it's a massive miscalculation," Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, said of Feinstein's plan in an interview. "It's destructive, both environmentally and politically."

The objections raised by Miller and his House colleagues mirror warnings by California salmon fishermen and environmentalists.

The escalating fight pits region against region, and some of California's most influential politicians against one another. It's already splitting fragile alliances among California water users, who in recent years have inched toward comity.

Late Thursday, Feinstein suggested to Miller that she might be willing to back down from the legislation if the Interior Department provides more irrigation on its own.

"If there can be some administrative action taken to take advantage of the recent bountiful rain and snow and provide reasonable water supplies this year, the legislation may not be necessary," Feinstein wrote Miller, adding that she will "remain open" to his ideas.

Feinstein's original proposal would boost irrigation deliveries to San Joaquin Valley west-side farms to 40 percent or so of the farms' contractual allocation. Last year, a combination of drought and environmental restrictions meant some farmers only received 10 percent of their allocation.

"This is a last-ditch effort to provide an additional water supply," said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno.

Feinstein could not be reached Thursday, but in an earlier statement she cited the San Joaquin Valley's unprecedented economic crisis and her desire to "simply allow San Joaquin Valley farmers to plant, hire and harvest."

Feinstein's move seriously jeopardizes existing water coalitions and relations among colleagues, Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, said Thursday.

On Thursday, Costa retorted that other Democrats are being "entirely insensitive and crass" in their attitude toward San Joaquin Valley residents. The Democrats opposed to delivering more irrigation water want the valley to "dry up and blow away," Costa added.

Miller said Congress should await a National Research Council study on the biological opinions, due in March. The scientific review was originally undertaken at Feinstein's behest.

"That may provide information that's useful," Garamendi noted.

The newly formed congressional lineup opposing Feinstein is hefty enough to call into question Feinstein's ability to overcome it.

Miller is one of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's key lieutenants, and a former chairman of what's now called the House Natural Resources Committee. Another lawmaker unhappy with Feinstein, Rep. Norm Dicks of Washington state, chairs the powerful House subcommittee responsible for the Interior Department's $12 billion annual budget.

Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Norwalk, chairwoman of the House water and power subcommittee, previously objected to Feinstein's efforts.

Illustrating the regional fissures, three Democratic lawmakers who represent portions of the Sacramento Valley – Garamendi and Reps. Mike Thompson and Doris Matsui – likewise oppose Feinstein's efforts on behalf of the San Joaquin Valley.

The 11 lawmakers further warn Feinstein that her plan would "drive California's and much of Oregon's salmon to extinction" and threaten thousands of jobs