Senator Dianne Feinstein: Water bill would not violate anyone’s storage rights at New Melones
Re “Is water wasted uf we’ve got nowhere to keep it?” (Page 1D, April 3): I very much appreciated the opportunity to speak with editorial board members from The Bee last week about the comprehensive drought legislation I introduced in February. I would like to correct one inaccuracy in The Bee’s description of my bill (“Is water wasted if we’ve got nowhere to keep it,” March 30, Page 1D).
The Bee quoted waterdeeply.com writer Matt Weiser saying a provision in my bill encouraging the storage of more water at New Melones Reservoir “could result in violating water rights priorities.”
That is incorrect. The bill makes it clear that water rights priorities must be respected. The bill states, “The source of water for any storage program carried out under this section at New Melones Reservoir shall be made available under a valid water right, in accordance with the water transfer guidelines of the State of California and any other applicable State water law.”
The bill would only allow water storage at New Melones consistent with state water law and water rights priorities.
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, California
This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 12:10 PM with the headline "Senator Dianne Feinstein: Water bill would not violate anyone’s storage rights at New Melones."