Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Feinstein Joins Effort for SB1 Changes Protecting Valley Water
gvw_david_taub
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
September 6, 2019

Share

Five federal legislators have submitted a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom asking for amendments to a proposed state law that would empower state agencies to adopt rules and regulations more stringent than their federal counterparts set after Jan. 19, 2017.


Listen to this article:


That is one day before Donald Trump was sworn in as president.
The legislators are concerned it would create years of litigation over which environmental standard to apply to the federal Central Valley Project.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California), along with congressmen Jim Costa (D-Fresno), TJ Cox (D-Fresno), Josh Harder (D-Turlock) and John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove), sent the letter asking for specific changes to Senate Bill 1.

Opposes Amendments

In its letter, the legislators oppose two sections of the bill. The first amendment would retain current scientific opinions regarding permitting decisions. The legislators are concerned this would shut out new scientific research, especially when it comes to water flow rates for rivers and its effect on wildlife.
The second opposition revolves around an amendment requiring the federal Bureau of Reclamation to comply with the California Endangered Species Act. The legislators are concerned it would create years of litigation over which environmental standard to apply to the federal Central Valley Project, the letter said.
“In the midst of such fundamental uncertainty, it will be impossible to develop any voluntary settlements of Sacramento and San Joaquin River outflow standards,” the letter said.
“We have the opportunity to work together to address California’s water problems,” Costa said in a news release. “We should be looking to the future where updated science can help us make the right decisions on how to allocate our precious water resources. Unfortunately, unless amended, Senate Bill 1 would take us in the wrong direction. I urge the Legislature to amend the bill before it reaches the governor’s desk.”
The bill is in the state Assembly and needs to pass by next Friday in order for consideration by the governor.

Dem Leader Atkins Responds

State Senate Pro-Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) authored SB 1, which has been lauded by environmental groups but attacked by the California Chamber of Commerce and other business groups as a “job killer.”
She says she is open to changes.
“As the Leader of the Senate, I am focused on protecting our communities and natural resources from harmful federal rollbacks. Senate Bill 1 puts in place critical protections to our clean water, clean air, workers’ rights, and endangered species to preserve our laws in California, regardless of what the federal government does,” Atkins told GV Wire in an email. “I will continue to work to address any concerns by the opposition.”

Read the Letter



DON'T MISS

Cronenworth’s Big Hit Helps Lift the Padres to a 6-4 Win Over Melvin’s Giants

DON'T MISS

Shohei Ohtani Reaches 3 Times in Home Debut as the Dodgers Rout the Cardinals 7-1

DON'T MISS

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

DON'T MISS

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

DON'T MISS

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

DON'T MISS

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

DON'T MISS

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

DON'T MISS

Biden’s Fundraiser with Obama and Clinton Nets a Record $25 Million, His Campaign Says

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified’s Self-Protection Racket Is Hurting Our Kids

DON'T MISS

Rockin’ Out or Laughing, the Valley Has Its Pick of Weekend Events

No data was found
David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

9 hours ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

9 hours ago

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

9 hours ago

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

9 hours ago

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

10 hours ago

Biden’s Fundraiser with Obama and Clinton Nets a Record $25 Million, His Campaign Says

10 hours ago

Fresno Unified’s Self-Protection Racket Is Hurting Our Kids

11 hours ago

Rockin’ Out or Laughing, the Valley Has Its Pick of Weekend Events

11 hours ago

Ex-Correctional Officer at Women’s Prison in California Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Inmates

14 hours ago

Caitlin Clark and Iowa Draw Nearly 5 Million Viewers for Second-Round NCAA Win

14 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Riverside Golf Course Introduces Military Veterans to the Game

PGA HOPE, now underway at Fresno’s Riverside Golf Course, is designed to introduce golf to veterans and active duty military members t...

7 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Fresno's Riverside Golf Course
7 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Riverside Golf Course Introduces Military Veterans to the Game

9 hours ago

Cronenworth’s Big Hit Helps Lift the Padres to a 6-4 Win Over Melvin’s Giants

9 hours ago

Shohei Ohtani Reaches 3 Times in Home Debut as the Dodgers Rout the Cardinals 7-1

9 hours ago

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

9 hours ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

9 hours ago

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

9 hours ago

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

10 hours ago

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend