Sacramento, CA…Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado) reacted to the results of today’s snow survey by the Department of Water Resources which showed that statewide, the snowpack holds 45.5 inches of snow water equivalent, or 185 percent of the March 1 average (24.6 inches). The central and southern regions in the Sierra Nevada are close to reaching the more than 30-year record for snowpack statewide.

“We are on track to have one of the wettest winters in California’s recorded history, and yet the California State Water Resources Control Board decided to extend the state’s emergency drought regulations. This doesn’t make sense. We are flush with water and yet urban water districts will be subject to an additional 270 days of consumption reports, ‘stress tests,’ and water-use cuts.

“What’s worse is that all this water highlights the staggering lack of foresight and political will on the part of politicians who have neglected to build enough water storage to keep up with our growing population. The state needs to waive every rule, expend every dollar it has to get Sites Reservoir built and complete other surface storage projects so we can bank more of this water instead of letting it run out into the sea.”

Senator Ted Gaines represents the 1st Senate District, which includes all or parts of Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra and Siskiyou counties.