California Delegation Disputes Farm Deal -- California Capitol Hill Bulletin -- Volume 10, Bulletin 3 -- February 14, 2003

A unanimous California delegation has recently voiced its opposition to a lawsuit settlement that the Bush administration negotiated with Central Valley farmers. Under the agreement, the federal government would pay farmers in the Westlands Water District $107 million to settle a suit over the lack of drainage provided for farmland under the Central Valley Project (CVP). The settlement, however, stipulates that the money will be taken out of federal money for other California water projects. Affected projects would include pumps on the American River, CVP maintenance, and some Southern California recycling programs. California's 55 House and Senate members sent a letter opposing that decision. Instead, they argued the settlement money should come from the lawsuit settlement fund administered by the Department of Justice.

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