California Senators introduce drought legislation in Senate

Last week, Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced a bill – the California Emergency Drought Act – focused on relieving California of its severe drought. Under this bill, the state would see $1.3 billion over 10 years. The money would be allocated for storage, desalination and water recycling projects.

“I’m hopeful the bill we’re introducing today will serve as a template for the kinds of short-term and long-term solutions California needs to address this devastating drought,” Senator Feinstein said in a statement.

Senate Democrats are uncertain whether or not House Republicans will be in favor of the bill. Both political parties have battled over how to handle the California drought. Members of both political parties are skeptical of the bill. Democrats are worried Senator Feinstein’s legislation doesn’t go far enough to protect wildlife under the Endangered Species and Clean Water Acts. Republicans, on the other hand, are concerned about whether or not farmers will receive the water they desperately need to harvest their crops.

Senator Feinstein’s counterpart, Senator Barbara Boxer, however, is on board.

“I am pleased to be sponsoring Senator Feinstein’s new water bill, which addresses California’s devastating drought in a multi-faceted way,” Senator Boxer said in a statement. “I am now sponsoring three drought bills because of the enormity of this crisis, and I hope we can advance the best of these measures to help alleviate the pain being felt across California.”

The $1.3 billion would be broken down as follows:

• $50 million over five years for desalination plants.
• $50 million over five years for desalination research projects.
• $600 million for water storage projects.
• $200 million in additional funds for Bureau of Reclamation’s water recycling program.
• $200 million for the Reclamation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, which allows water agencies to finance water projects.
• $100 million in additional funds for Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART program.
• $150 million for water storage, recycling and desalination projects beginning in 2026.
• $49.5 million for protection of the fish population.