Western Growers' Dave Puglia and California Fresh Fruit Association's Ian LeMay Comment on Governor Newsom's Water Supply Strategy
IRVINE, CA & FRESNO, CA - California Governor Gavin Newson made a pivotal announcement yesterday that has an influence on the agriculture industry. He proposed the Water Supply Strategy Adapting for a Hotter, Drier California, and multiple produce associations commented.
“We applaud Governor Newsom’s bold and comprehensive water infrastructure and management strategy. Our farms are in distress due to water insecurity, increasingly placing millions of Californians in our agricultural regions at great risk of economic harm,” said Western Growers President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Puglia.
Puglia continued, “To adapt to climate realities, the Governor’s plan recognizes the urgent need to build new and improve existing infrastructure and to streamline and improve the practicality of the regulatory processes that govern them. Critically, that means new and expanded surface and groundwater storage to capture wet year flood flows that are too infrequent to be missed. While we have only seen this plan for the first time today and are certain to have many questions about it, Governor Newsom has given us reason to move forward with optimism. This is clearly not just nibbling around the edges. We echo the Governor’s sense of urgency and look forward to working with his administration in good faith to turn this plan into action.”
In a separate press release, California Fresh Fruit Association President Ian LeMay also commented on the announcement.
“We appreciate the efforts the Newsom Administration has taken to address the critical need for water investments to guarantee the continued sustainability of California agriculture,” he said. “This plan recognizes the need to expand on existing surface and groundwater infrastructure while streamlining the process to get construction started on new storage projects. Every person in our state, nation, and world relies on agriculture, and the Association appreciates Governor Newsom’s action to ensure that California continues to be able to have a safe and resilient food supply. Our state and industry cannot survive without a reliable water resource.”
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