Chair Eddie Ocampo Participates in CA State Board of Food and Agriculture Panel on Water Management

Last week, Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley Board Chair Eddie Ocampo presented before the California State Board of Food and Agriculture as part of a panel discussion on current water issues. The group engaged in a thoughtful discussion, underscoring the shared understanding that water reliability is foundational to California’s agricultural economy. Chair Ocampo noted that in the San Joaquin Valley, up to one million acres of farmland may be fallowed in the coming decades due to state water shortages.

Chair Ocampo focused his remarks on Action 5, the recently adopted long-term operations plan for the Central Valley Project and State Water Project that's aimed at modernizing the state's water management. Chair Ocampo also expressed strong support for SB 72, recently enacted legislation that strengthens the California Water Plan by setting long-term water supply targets of 9 million acre-feet of additional supply and establishing a 2050 planning horizon that includes agricultural, urban, tribal, and environmental needs while prioritizing safe drinking water.

The Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley appreciates the opportunity to bring the Valley’s perspective to this important conversation and will continue educating officials on the importance of balanced, forward-looking water management policies, and discussions that shape California’s water future.

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