Federal and state bills were introduced this past Thursday and the goal was to secure hundreds of millions of dollars of funding for repairs to water canals and aqueducts. The bills, led by U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein, Congressman Jim Costa, and State Senator Melissa Hurtado, could mean big improvements for various water supplies
The repairs would be for Central and Southern California including many cities, most prominently, Fresno among them.
Federal and State Bills are Critical for Water and Aqueducts in Fresno
“Moreover, this is in fact shaping up to be one of the driest years on record,” said Ryan Jacobsen. Therefore, he is the CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau. “As a result, we have had water allocations that are incredibly dismal here locally and so definitely this is going to be one of the tougher years we’ve had to face.”
Canal Conveyance Capacity Restoration Act
The bipartisan Canal Conveyance Capacity Restoration is introducing by the state and federal representatives. Its goal is to tackle California’s drought issues by updating its outdated infrastructure.
Yet, there is nothing is official yet, however, its huge news for the agriculture industry here in the valley.
“Moreover, this act will enhance the water supply and water quality for 27 million Californians,” said Congressman Jim Costa, who represents the state’s 16th district.
Federal and State Bills: Restoring Capacity of Canals
More $653 million would be authorizing by this bill to restore the capacity of three main San Joaquin Valley canals.
Integral to water deliveries here in the valley are those three systems in San Joaquin Valley, said Jacobsen, “But unfortunately, they have losing some capacity purely because of subsidence issues.”
Included in the bill are the Friant-Kern Canal, the Delta Mendota Canal and the California Aqueduct.
Key Water Arteries
“For decades, these are the key water arteries. They have not been providing drinking water, but water supply for our farms,” said Congressman Costa.
State and Federal Attention
California’s drought is getting state and federal attention. This is going on with a similar bill being introducing in the state senate.
“Working on concurrent proposals together, it’s the state and federal governments involved, as well as coming from its local users is a third of it. This is a buy-in from everybody,” said Jacobsen.
“Moreover, the reality seems to be an investment that really does benefit the entire nation. This is because there is region supplies of food for the nation and beyond,” said California State Senator Melissa Hurtado, who represent district 14.
This year, some of the infrastructure turns 60 years old. The Frian-Kern Canal completed construction in 1951, for example.
