California Republicans led by U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) on Sept. 29 introduced legislation that would provide long-term water supply and regulatory reliability to their drought-stricken state.
“I promised my constituents that I would fight to secure a reliable and clean supply of water for our communities,” Rep. Valadao said. “This legislation would do just that by streamlining operations, expanding water storage infrastructure, and increasing accountability.”
The congressman sponsored the Working to Advance Tangible and Effective Reforms (WATER) for California Act, H.R. 9084, with 10 of his home-state GOP colleagues, including U.S. Reps. Kevin McCarthy, Young Kim, Ken Calvert, and Michelle Steel, who signed on as original cosponsors of the bill.
“For too long, the Central Valley has suffered from devastating drought conditions, unfair water allocations, and a gross mismanagement of the water we do have by Sacramento bureaucrats and environmentalists,” said Rep. Valadao. “This bill will bring more water to the farmers, businesses, and rural communities in the valley and throughout California, doing everything possible to survive this devastating drought.”
If enacted, H.R. 9084 would require the Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP) to be operated consistent with 2019 Biological Opinions and Preferred Alternative regulations, which were independently peer-reviewed and informed by science, but allow modifications under certain circumstances, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Valadao’s office.
Additionally, among several provisions, H.R. 9084 would help ensure CVP and SWP water stakeholders receive the water for which they contracted and paid; provide eligibility for funding for the Shasta Enlargement Project, a water storage project in California; and reauthorize the surface water storage project program and coordinated operations of the CVP and SWP, the summary says.
Rep. McCarthy said that as the state continues to suffer through another year of drought, solutions must address getting water to communities and storing water.
“That is why I am glad to join Congressman Valadao — who has been a leader on water and drought throughout his tenure in Congress — on introducing the WATER for California Act,” said Rep. McCarthy. “In a state like California, access to reliable and affordable water is more pressing than ever, and I applaud his efforts to advance commonsense solutions to ensure our constituents get the water they contract and pay for and improve California’s drought resiliency.”
“The key long-term solutions for California’s water challenges involve restoring regulatory sanity to our water management regime and building the water storage and conveyance infrastructure necessary to supply our state with reliable and affordable water,” added Rep. Calvert. “The WATER for California Act will help make those solutions a reality.”
Rep. Steel noted that California’s water shortages have been worsened by bureaucratic mismanagement. “I am proud to partner with Rep. Valadao in this important and ongoing effort to ensure that residents across our state have stable and reliable access to the water they need,” she said.
Rep. Kim also said she supports the bill to reduce the regulatory burdens that are hindering water access across the state. “Our water supply is essential for the public health and safety of our communities,” said Rep. Kim. “I will do all I can to provide certainty and secure water for Californians.”