U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) recently unveiled two bipartisan bills aimed at addressing California’s ongoing water challenges and to expand water storage and groundwater recharge opportunities.
“Water is the lifeblood of our region, and these pieces of legislation take essential steps to maximize water storage, recharge groundwater, and ensure California has access to this vital resource,” Rep. Valadao said on Jan. 16. “With these improvements, we can better address the challenges of drought, stabilize our water tables, and secure our water future.”
The Groundwater Technical Assistance Act, H.R. 338, which Rep. Valadao cosponsored on Jan. 13 alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), would provide technical and financial assistance for groundwater recharge, aquifer storage, and water source substitution projects.
The Every Drop Counts Act, H.R. 337, which Rep. Valadao also cosponsored on Jan. 13 with bill sponsor Rep. Costa, would amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to increase surface water and groundwater storage, according to the bill’s text.
“As a dairy farmer and lifelong resident of the Central Valley, I know firsthand the devastating impacts of water shortages on our agricultural industry, communities, and economy,” said Rep. Valadao.
Specifically, H.R. 338 would provide funding to an authorization under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that allows the Bureau of Reclamation to provide technical and financial assistance for groundwater recharge projects, such as aquifer storage and recovery projects, or water source substitution for aquifer protection projects. The bureau also would be granted greater flexibility to address groundwater recharge needs without requiring new spending.
H.R. 337 would modify the Small Storage Program to increase the size cap for groundwater recharge projects, and provide additional eligibility criteria to ensure more groundwater projects can apply for funding and are incentivized to recharge depleted aquifers, according to bill summaries provided by the lawmakers.
“Groundwater recharge is one of the most effective ways to build resilience against drought,” Rep. Costa said. “These bipartisan bills build on the success of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by leveraging federal resources for groundwater recharge projects that provide long-term solutions to safeguard the San Joaquin Valley from the impacts of extreme drought.”