Rep. Peters Calls on Congress to Protect Water Used to Fight Wildfires

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives in opposition to the misguided attempt to undercut decades of existing California water policies and put communities across the state, including San Diego, at increased risk for wildfires.

“This bill does not make it rain – no one can do that. It simply undermines the State of California’s water policies to move water away from one set of communities and into different ones,” Rep. Peters said.

“Two of the deadliest wildfires in California history, the Witch and Cedar fires, occurred in San Diego and killed 17 people; this is also a matter of life and death,” Congressman Peters continued. “The images of depleted reservoirs, lakes, and streams drying up abound, and millions of dead trees litter our forests. As the New York Times reported just yesterday, ‘For those who know fire, fuel is all they see.’”

In an attempt to improve the bill, Rep. Peters proposed an amendment to ensure that any changes to water policy leave enough water in reservoirs, lakes, and community supplies to fight wildfires when they occur.

Watch Congressman Peters’ speech either by clicking HERE or on the image below.

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