House GOP lawmakers bring home good water news for California

A U.S. House of Representatives’ bill that would modernize antiquated federal water policies to deliver critical water resources to Californians passed the chamber on Wednesday with heavy support from Republican Reps. Mimi Walters and Ken Calvert, both representing California.

The Gaining Responsibility on Water Act, also known as the GROW Act, H.R. 23, was introduced earlier this year by another California Republican, Rep. David Valadao. The bill would provide relief to Californians by restoring water deliveries that have been drastically reduced over the last two decades as a result of various environmental lawsuits and illogical state and federal regulations, the California lawmakers say.

The GROW Act also would expand water storage capabilities, improve management, expedite transfers and protect water rights.

“The GROW Act builds upon the bipartisan water bill signed into law last year by providing even more long-term water solutions for California,” said Calvert, a cosponsor of the bill.

Specifically, Calvert said the bill would speed consideration of feasibility studies for water storage projects “that have languished for periods of time that are longer than it took to actually build the Hoover Dam.”

The GROW Act also includes provisions that Calvert said are critical to Bay Delta operations and would help improve water reliability.

“California can become drought proof if we build the storage and conveyance infrastructure necessary to collect and move the water we receive in wet years, so that we can utilize it during dry years,” Calvert said.

Walters touted the same benefits of the bill in her district, saying it would facilitate the development of new water storage projects, “which is a key water management tool for Southern California water agencies.”

“These projects are critical to a number of California communities, like Orange County, that lack access to water even during non-drought conditions,” Walters said.

In addition, she said, the bill would address water delivery and water rights issues.

And in a speech on the House floor in support of the bill prior to its passage, Walters said that even though substantial rainfall this winter ended California’s drought, the recent crisis isn’t just due to a lack of rain.

“It’s also the result of failed state and federal policies that have mismanaged critical water resources throughout the West,” she said.

Valadao agreed, noting that California’s network of water storage and delivery systems have been mismanaged for years, causing negative impacts across the state. “This problem has become even more apparent during the last several months. Despite record precipitation levels, families, farmers, and communities still lack access to a reliable supply of water.”

“The GROW Act is a crucial step toward addressing these failed policies,” Walters added.