Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Biden Administration Declares California Drought Disaster. What Is Newsom Waiting For?
bill-new-mug-002
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 3 years ago on
April 12, 2021

Share

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack designated 50 California counties as natural disaster areas last month because of the drought.

And, over the weekend, Fresno Congressman Jim Costa said on KSEE-24’s Sunday Morning Matters program that Gov. Newsom should declare a statewide emergency because of the dangerously dry conditions.

Vilsack is a Democrat and former Iowa governor who served eight years as President Obama’s top farming official. Costa is a Democrat.

Newsom Rejects Request for Emergency Declaration

Yet, Newsom, also a Democrat, last week rejected a request from a bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers from the Valley to declare a statewide drought emergency. State Sen. Andreas Borgeas, a Fresno Republican, is leading the effort to obtain the emergency declaration.

“Drought is a recurring feature of the California climate, and we know from experience that early action improves response. We are in a better place today because of what we have learned from the most recent drought,” said Erin Mellon, the governor’s spokesperson.

“The Administration is already taking steps to address emerging dry year impacts, and to prepare for additional efforts if dry conditions continue or worsen. The state has met with legislators and stakeholders on this issue many times, and will continue to do so as we monitor the conditions closely. We stand ready to take additional actions if it becomes necessary.”

The time for additional action is now, Costa told KSEE-24 news anchor Alexan Balekian.

“Yes, it’s an emergency,” Costa said, noting that the drought negatively impacts both city residents and the farming industry and heightens the likelihood of devastating wildfires.

Borgeas, who is chair of the state Senate Agriculture Committee, sent a follow-up request for the declaration to Newsom today.

“California farmers need to make decisions now,” Borgeas said. “We can’t wait until the zenith of the drought to take action. Declaring an emergency will allow state agencies to cut through red tape and deliver more water to Valley farms. We can’t afford to wait any longer.”

Worst Western Drought Ever Ahead?

With the western United States in a longstanding megadrought, some scientists say the region is teetering on permanent drought. There also are predictions that 2021 will produce the worst western drought in modern history.

On Thursday, at Shaver Lake, the site of last year’s Creek Fire, Newsom and legislative leaders did announce budgeting $536 million for wildfire mitigation and forest management projects.

Newsom also used the occasion to challenge climate change deniers.

“You don’t believe in climate change? You don’t believe in science? You believe your own damn eyes. Something is happening as it relates to the issue of climate, and that’s exacerbating conditions and making the challenge of wildfire suppression and prevention that much more ominous,” Newsom said.

Vilsack’s disaster declaration opens the door for farmers to apply for federal emergency loans.

Read Ag Secretary’s Letter to Newsom

DON'T MISS

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

DON'T MISS

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

DON'T MISS

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

DON'T MISS

Canadian School Boards Sue Snapchat, TikTok and Meta for Disrupting Students’ Education

DON'T MISS

California Law Enforcement Agencies Obstruct Transparency Efforts in Use-of-Force Cases

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Tackles Animal Overpopulation with New Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program

DON'T MISS

No Police Charges for Taylor Swift’s Dad Over Paparazzi Incident in Sydney

DON'T MISS

Biden Administration to Lend $1.5B to Restart Michigan Nuclear Power Plant, a First in the US

DON'T MISS

Tonight’s Biden Fundraiser With Obama and Clinton Already Nets a Record $25 Million

DON'T MISS

Supermom Carmi Is Ready to Be Embraced by Her Forever Family

No data was found
Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

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

12 hours ago

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

12 hours ago

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

12 hours ago

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

12 hours ago

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

13 hours ago

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

13 hours ago

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

14 hours ago

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

14 hours ago

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

17 hours ago

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

17 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...

10 hours ago

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

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

12 hours ago

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

12 hours ago

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

12 hours ago

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

12 hours ago

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

12 hours ago

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

12 hours ago

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

13 hours ago

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

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend