Valadao Introduces Legislation to Increase California Water Storage
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H.R. 2749; the Dam Authorization, Maintenance, and Safety (DAMS) Act amends the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to develop additional project benefits if certain provisions are met.
The average age of the 84,000 dams in the United States is 52 years old. In order to avoid dam failures, which would cause substantial economic damage and, more importantly, loss of human life, significant investment and regular maintenance is necessary.
Under current law, the Bureau of Reclamation may only identify dam repairs and modifications which result from “new hydrologic or seismic data” or those actions that are “deemed necessary for safety purposes.” The Secretary of the Interior is not allowed to authorize additional assessments of the dam unrelated to the qualifying issue, meaning repairs or modifications resulting from normal deterioration or lack of maintenance are prohibited.
If such a repair or modification were identified by the Bureau of Reclamation, Rep. Valadao’s legislation would allow the Secretary to not only address the specific issue but to also evaluate whether additional modifications could be made to the dam facility to increase water storage capacity.
H.R. 2749; would allow the Bureau to take proactive measures to maintain and improve our national water infrastructure more efficiently, preserving resources and taxpayer dollars. In doing so, increasing California’s water storage capabilities.
Congressman Valadao explained, “California’s water crisis is a multi-faceted issue caused by naturally occurring weather patterns, destructive environmental regulations, and burdensome government bureaucracy. While government cannot make it rain, Congress can expand our water infrastructure and storage to ensure a reliable water supply for future years.”
H.R. 2749, was introduced by Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) in the House of Representatives on Friday, June 12, 2015 with Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) as the Democrat lead. Original cosponsors of the legislation include Representatives Ken Calvert (CA-42), Paul Cook (CA-08), Kevin Cramer (ND-AL), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Jeff Denham (CA-10), Darrell E. Issa (CA-49), Stephen Knight (CA-25), Cynthia Lummis (WY-AL), Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Tom McClintock (CA-04) , Devin Nunes (CA-22), Dana Rohrabacher (CA-48), Edward R. Royce (CA-39), Greg Walden (OR-02), and Mimi Walters (CA-45).
Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties.
Anna Raquel Vetter ((202) 815-1685
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