We faced an engineering issue. A blowout preventer failed, and it failed catastrophically. It caused enormous environmental and economic devastation.

Doesn't the law provide for the waiver of these regulations in an economic emergency, and why isn't the Department following through on that?

More than 200 billion gallons of water have been cut off to the Central Valley of California.

No one would argue for the need for additional water facilities, but I think you would have to agree that 200 billion gallons of water would have made all of the difference in the world in the Central Valley if it hadn't been diverted for…

I think the Central Valley would define failure as 40 percent unemployment in Mendota and an agricultural industry that has literally been brought to its knees.

I have no further questions, Madame Chairwoman.

The United States owes a Federal trust obligation to these Pueblos to protect the water rights of the Acequias and their members.

There will be demand in the future from non-Pueblo residents to connect to the system, and that it would be a very unfortunate outcome if those people were told no, you cannot connect, this is a Pueblo-only system.

I have always believed that local water projects should be financed by local revenue bonds that are redeemed by local users of the water in proportion to their use.

I am strongly in favor of additional water development. I believe that the projects contemplated by this legislation will be a boon to the entire region.

The citizens of our county have no control or oversight over tribal representatives, development, and countless other issues.