including Sites, Los Vaqueros, and Temperance Flat reservoirs:“More water storage in California is vital and we must start building now before the next major drought,” said Rep. Denham. “This investment is overdue and emphasizes the need for my New WATER Act which will lower the cost of these projects and the rates for water users."
The New WATER Act, H.R. 434, will provide funding for water projects throughout the western United States including new reservoirs, below ground storage projects, and recycling and desalination projects. The bill provides a direct benefit to California ratepayers and helps bring down the costs of major California water infrastructure projects. For example, it will bring the construction cost of Sites down by millions while driving down the cost of water by 20-25% or more.
Rep. Denham authored the New WATER Act, to solve California’s storage crisis and encourage private investment in systems that serve the public. This policy was discussed in depth at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing in February.
Earlier this month, California’s State Water Resources Control Board released a plan that would siphon off at least 40 percent of Central Valley’s rivers during peak season, essentially flushing significant amounts of usable water directly into the ocean. The plan would cripple the Central Valley economy, farms and communities while blindly following the more flow equals more fish mantra and failing to recognize the true threats to endangered fish in our rivers – predation and inadequate habitat restoration. These are two issues our local community and irrigation districts are working to actually address through plans like the Tuolumne River Management Plan developed by Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts.
To learn more about what Rep. Denham is doing to fight for water in the Valley by visiting www.Denham.house.gov/water.
Source: Congressman Jeff Denham
