Washington – (RealEstateRama) — The Senate today passed the Water Resources Development Act to manage our nation’s water infrastructure.
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the legislation:
“The Water Resources Development Act is a critical piece of legislation that authorizes investments in water infrastructure projects around the country. This bill is important to California because it helps combat flood and storm damage in our communities, restore fragile ecosystems, increase funding for major navigation ports and expand our drought relief efforts.
“I am particularly pleased the bill includes a reauthorization of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act—our legislation to continue federal investments in protecting and preserving the lake. Thanks to the original Lake Tahoe bill in 2000, more than 500 restoration and conversation projects have been completed around the lake and another 120 are now underway. This reauthorization will allow us build upon that success and look at different ways to combat the new challenges facing the lake.
“I want to thank Senator Barbara Boxer, ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee which has jurisdiction over this legislation, for her leadership in getting this bill through the Senate. Senator Boxer worked closely with committee Chairman Jim Inhofe to craft a bill that authorizes many of the projects vital to California’s environment and economy. This bill represents the best of bipartisan Senate action.”
Drought Relief Efforts
The bill includes critical drought relief provisions that will improve coordination between the Army Corps of Engineers and state and local agencies to implement water supply measures at reservoirs.
Lake Tahoe Restoration Act
The bill reauthorizes the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act to bring $415 million to the Lake Tahoe basin over the next 10 years for environmental protections, wildfire prevention and to combat invasive species.
Army Corps Projects in California
San Francisco Shoreline – $70 million for critical flood protection and environmental restoration in Santa Clara County.
Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Project – $380 million to restore ecosystems along the river in Los Angeles County.
American River Watershed Common Features – $880 million to reduce flooding along the American and Sacramento Rivers in Sacramento County.
West Sacramento flood control project – $780 million to reduce flooding in West Sacramento.
Encinitas-Solana Beach Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project: Reduces risk to public safety and economic damages associated with bluff and beach erosion in Encinitas and Solana Beach.
California Ports
Expands eligibility for the Ports of Hueneme and San Diego for funds available to ports that contribute more in harbor maintenances taxes than they receive in funding.
