Calif. Sen. Feinstein, Rep. Pombo Urge President to Declare a Major Disaster for Delta Levee Break

Citing the $93 million in damage and the increased risk of water supply contamination stemming from the June 3 levee break in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Rep. Richard Pombo (R-Tracy) have urged President Bush to issue a federal declaration of Major Disaster for the County of San Joaquin.

In a joint letter to President Bush, Sen. Feinstein and Rep. Pombo sought the President’s concurrence with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s recent State declaration of a Major Disaster.

“Action by the Federal government to assist San Joaquin County and the State of California is urgently needed,” Senator Feinstein said. “It is our hope that President Bush concurs with the Governor’s designation and issues a federal declaration of Major Disaster.”

“It’s time for action,” added Rep. Pombo. “We’ve seen the assessment, we know the consequences, and it’s time to get moving on funding. That’s why Senator Feinstein and I have written this letter. It’s the next step in obtaining the funds needed to clean up the disaster area.”