Gray Fights to Protect Valley Water and Support Local Farmers

As a Member of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees, Gray has made protecting Valley agriculture a top priority – cutting red tape, lowering costs, and delivering long-overdue water infrastructure investments. He worked across the aisle to vote for $2 billion in funding for Valley water storage projects, and continues to secure critical federal funding to strengthen local water systems.

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Turlock Journal: Congressman Gray introduces Valley Water Protection Act

• Congressman Adam Gray…introduced the Valley Water Protection Act, aiming to safeguard water access for Central Valley farmers and producers.
• “Valley farmers and producers are the backbone of our community’s economy but increasingly have to worry about whether they will have reliable access to the water necessary to continue their production. For years, greedy state and federal bureaucrats have attempted to rob the Valley of its water in favor of San Francisco and Los Angeles elites, jeopardizing the agricultural production that funds our state and feeds the country. By introducing the Valley Water Protection Act, I’m sending those who would dry out the Valley a clear message: the tap is turned off.” – Gray
• As agriculture-dependent communities, Turlock and surrounding cities rely on stable water supplies for crops and livestock production… The bill’s proposed exemption process could benefit these towns by ensuring reliable water deliveries, allowing farmers to plan with greater certainty and avoid production losses.
• If water security improves, the economic stability of the area may strengthen, preventing job losses tied to agricultural uncertainty.
• The bill may also impact groundwater management and storage projects in the region. The Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir, a proposed water storage project west of Patterson, could help stabilize irrigation supplies, benefiting surrounding communities.
• Stephanie Dietz, Director of the Merced Irrigation District, praised the bill’s approach, stating: “Protecting endangered species and ensuring water access for our users are not mutually exclusive—we can and must do both. This bill is a step toward bringing the Endangered Species Act into the 21st century with sensible environmental policy reform.”
• “The Endangered Species Act is long overdue for an overhaul, and we applaud Representative Gray for introducing this bill,” said Jimi Netniss, General Manager of Modesto Irrigation District.
• Johnny Amaral, COO of the Friant Water Authority, noted: “The much-needed bipartisan emphasis and support for sensible reform will go a long way towards making the ESA work better for both species and rural agricultural communities.”