Rep. Calvert and Rep. Valadao Offer Amendments to Address California’s Ongoing Drought

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) expressed disappointment with Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee for their failure to adequately address California's water challenges amidst the ongoing drought. On Friday, Rep. Calvert and Rep. David Valadao (CA-21) offered five amendments to increase California water supplies and storage during the markup of the Fiscal Year 2022 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. Of the four that received a vote, each was voted down by Democrats on the Committee.

"California is once again in the middle of a drought, and it's imperative that Congress takes action to enable our state to properly manage our water," said Rep. Calvert. "The southern California region finds itself in a much better position to deal with drought because of previous investments in water storage and conservation efforts. The best way to address our drought throughout the state is to build more storage, improve water conveyance infrastructure, and manage our water supplies with the best science. Republicans are working with water officials in our state to accomplish these goals. It's time for Democrats to join us in a productive manner and stop blocking solutions to our water crisis."

"When I meet with my constituents, the same issue arises: the desperate need for water," said Rep. Valadao. "I introduced three amendments to address California's crumbling water infrastructure, storage issues, and lack of operational flexibility for communities and farmers. Farmers across the Central Valley are being forced to tear up their crops to conserve water—crops that would have fed families across the United States and across the world. Communities in my district's wells are drying up, if they aren't already dry. Once again, my colleagues across the aisle refuse to acknowledge the fact that we have a crisis on our hands. I am incredibly disappointed that the Majority rejected my amendments — real people need our help, and it's clear the Democrats are unwilling to provide it. I will not stop fighting to bring a solution to the Central Valley."

Rep. Calvert's first amendment would have restored Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act funding for water recycling and reuse infrastructure to roughly 90% of the enacted level using unused funds from a legacy grant program. The amendment would have helped address the WIIN Act Title XVI program backlog of nearly 60 projects representing roughly $650 million in federal investment.

Rep. Calvert's second amendment would have removed the funding prohibition for the Shasta Dam and Reservoir Enlargement Project and included the recommended $172 million in funding for the water storage project. Raising Shasta Dam would add roughly 650,000 acre-feet, or 207 billion gallons, of capacity to state's water supply.

Rep. Valadao's first amendment would extend California water storage provisions of the WIIN Act — Subtitle J — for one year. Certain provisions of the WIIN Act are set to expire soon, or have already expired, creating an urgent need for specific extensions. The amendment would also extend the authorization of appropriations for water storage projects that the Secretary of the Interior finds feasible. This language complements the RENEW WIIN Act that the congressman introduced earlier this year, with the support of Congressman Calvert.

The WIIN Act, which President Obama signed into law in 2016, directed the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to develop a new operations plan of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project, which was completed in February 2020. The resulting biological opinions (BiOps) provide flexibility and guidance to make use of California's water to the fullest extent and avoid waste of this precious resource. The second amendment would codify the BiOps. These BiOps were independently peer-reviewed and informed by the most accurate, best available science. The corresponding operations plans for the Central Valley Project and State Water Project employs this science and data to ensure greater water reliability and availability for communities and farms across California, while continuing to protect at-risk species.

Rep. Valadao's third amendment would provide funding to restore the conveyance capacity of canal infrastructure facilities to move flood flows to groundwater recharge areas in order to help farmers comply with new state laws related to groundwater pumping. Major San Joaquin Valley canals would benefit from this program.