Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dennis Cardoza cosponsored legislation today that will expedite the federal government’s ability to build needed water projects in the San Joaquin Valley and also put workers back on the job.

Under the bill, matching fund requirements would be reduced or waived under some circumstances for local governments and entities seeking federal assistance. The legislation would be especially useful for projects that have been through the planning process but lack enough local matching funds to begin work. For instance Patterson Irrigation District has a pipeline and fish screen project that would help facilitate water conveyance and transfers. However, so far the district has not been able to obtain enough matching funds for construction.

Under the bill, any area of California that has been designated a disaster area by the state Governor during calendar year 2009 will be eligible. Also, any part of the state that has been identified by the U.S. Drought Monitor in the last 24 months as experiencing severe, extreme or exceptional drought will qualify.

Congressman Cardoza was an original cosponsor to the bill. It was introduced by his colleague Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno).

“Valley farmers continue to bear the brunt of misguided policies that blame pumping as the sole reason for the decline of species in the Delta,” said Congressman Cardoza. “As I’ve said many times, we need to look at all the factors in the Delta, get the pumps back on and get water flowing to our farmers. However, until that happens I believe we must also pursue every common-sense solution to this problem. This legislation is a practical means of improving our water infrastructure in the Valley, directing federal resources to communities that are in the most need and getting our workforce back on the job.”

“Fighting for water and improving our local economy are the two most important issues for me, and this legislation tackles both,” Costa said. “First, by waiving or changing the state and local cost-share for water projects, we can build them much faster and save our localities money.  Second, immediate infrastructure investment from the federal level will create good construction jobs for our Valley, and immediately put people back to work.  It’s a double win for our farms and communities.” 

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Interior to increase the share of federal funding for certain water infrastructure projects which help to improve water supply in areas affected by the drought. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds or appropriations funds through 2012 may be used for the increased federal share.

Projects also need to have been previously identified as making progress toward creating a more reliable water supply for California and restoring the Delta, increasing water management flexibility or reducing impacts on environmental resources from projects operated by the State Department of Water Resources, the State Department of Fish and Game, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.