Rep. Calvert Offers Amendment to Fund Shasta Dam Expansion

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) offered an amendment during the Appropriations Committee's markup of the Fiscal Year 2020 Energy and Water Appropriations Committee to fund the Shasta Dam and Reservoir Enlargement Project. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 22 to 30.

"Raising Shasta Dam and enlarging the reservoir behind it is the best near-term opportunity California has to increase much needed water storage," said Rep. Calvert. "The water we are able to store behind Shasta provides significant benefits to California water users. It also provides a cold-water pool critical for maintaining Sacramento River temperatures essential to the health of fish populations. Are the Democrats who voted to block my amendment against Californians having access to a reliable water supply, or against protecting fish habitats?"

"As our climate changes, it's only logical to increase water storage to boost our ability to store rainfall during wet years to supply our state during dry years. It's disappointing that Democrats on the Committee voted against commonsense solutions to climate change."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the Shasta Dam and Reservoir Enlargement Project would result in the following benefits:

• Additional 634,000 acre-feet of water storage capacity for the environment and for water users;
• Improved water supply reliability for agricultural, municipal and industrial, and environmental uses;
• Increased hydropower generation, reduced flood damage and risk, and enhanced recreational opportunities; and
• Improved Sacramento River temperatures and water quality below the dam for anadromous fish survival.

Background:

​Shasta Dam is a federally-owned facility and the largest reservoir in California. The federal government has been studying the idea of raising Shasta Dam on and off since the 1980s. Pre-construction activities are ongoing following Congressional approval of $20 million Water Infrastructure for Improvements to the Nation (WIIN) Act funding in March 2018. Activities include engineering design for 18.5 feet dam raise, and coordination with various federal, state, railroad and local agencies.

In FY18, Congress made available $134 million for water storage projects under the WIIN Act. In February 2019, the Secretary of the Interior recommended projects to receive funding made available for desalination, water recycling, and water storage. Under the WIIN Act, these projects must be named in an appropriations bill before receiving that money. The Secretary recommended $57 million for the Shasta Dam and Reservoir Enlargement Project pre-construction and construction activities. However, the draft FY20 Energy and Water Appropriations bill does not list the Shasta Dam and Reservoir Enlargement Project as requested. The amendment offered today by Rep. Calvert would have inserted the project in the bill and made it eligible to receive the $57 million recommended by the Department of Interior.