Garamendi Secures Key Provisions for Central Valley in Water Resources Development Act

Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, has announced several key provisions in the “Water Resources Development Act of 2020” (H.R.7575) have been added for the California Delta and Central Valley.

“This critical legislation supports levee projects throughout the Sacramento Valley, which provides critical flood protection and makes local communities more resilient to climate change,” Garamendi said. “I secured provisions in this bill to authorize and expedite construction of flood protection and aquatic ecosystem restoration projects, address harmful algal blooms in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and give local agencies greater flexibility in using federal Army Corps funds to meet local needs. This is a strong piece of legislation, and I will work tirelessly to ensure it becomes law,” Garamendi concluded.

Some of the provisions included in H.R. 7575:

Yuba River Ecosystem Restoration: This project will restore approximately 178 acres of aquatic and riparian habitat along the lower Yuba River, between Englebright Dam and the confluence of the Yuba and Feather rivers, downstream of the City of Marysville.

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Islands and Levees: This project will restore the interior Delta’s ecosystem and provide vital flood control.

Sacramento Riverbed Gradient Restoration Facility: Transfers control of the riverbed gradient restoration facility in the Sacramento River to the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District.

Western Pacific Interceptor Canal: Transfers control of a portion of the Western Pacific Interceptor Canal to the Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority.

Delta “Focus Area” for New Army Corps Harmful Algal Bloom Program: Includes all 5 California Delta counties as a “focus area” for the new proposed Army Corps Harmful Algal Bloom Demonstration Program.

Sacramento Regional Water Bank: Expanded the Army Corps’ environmental infrastructure assistance to include all of Sacramento County and increase the authorized federal funding from $35 million to $45 million to support the development of the Sacramento Regional Water Authority’s proposed groundwater bank.

H.R. 7575 now heads to the House floor for a vote at the end of July and is expected to become law this year.