Jim Costa
01/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/16/2025 13:14
Costa, Valley Leaders Introduce Bipartisan Bills to Boost Groundwater Recharge Efforts in the San Joaquin Valley
WASHINGTON- Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) led Valley Leaders in introducing two bipartisan bills to build on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's impact by increasing funding and expanding support for groundwater recharge projects in the San Joaquin Valley.
"Groundwater recharge is one of the most effective ways to build resilience against drought," said Congressman Costa."These bipartisan bills build on the success of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by leveraging federal resources for groundwater recharge projects that provide long-term solutions to safeguard the San Joaquin Valley from the impacts of extreme drought."
"The San Joaquin Valley produces crops that feed families across our nation, but for too long has struggled to maintain sufficient access to water for farmers," said Congressman Gray."It's time to cut the red tape holding our agricultural communities back from expanding their capacity. I'm proud to join a bipartisan group of my colleagues as an original cosponsor of the Every Drop Counts Act and the Groundwater Recharge Technical Assistance Act to protect and strengthen water access for farmers in my San Joaquin Valley district and across the country."
"As a dairy farmer and lifelong resident of the Central Valley, I know firsthand the devastating impacts of water shortages on our agricultural industry, communities, and economy," said Congressman Valadao. "Water is the lifeblood of our region, and these pieces of legislation take essential steps to maximize water storage, recharge groundwater, and ensure California has access to this vital resource. With these improvements, we can better address the challenges of drought, stabilize our water tables, and secure our water future."
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?
"As we face the ongoing challenges of water scarcity in the West, the introduction of the Every Drop Counts Act, and the Groundwater Technical Assistance Act represents a useful step toward ensuring a sustainable future for our communities, ecosystems, and farms. These bipartisan efforts will not only enhance our capabilities for groundwater recharge but also empower local agencies to innovate and implement solutions that restore our vital aquifers. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a resilient water supply that supports agriculture, the environment, and the needs of our growing population." said Jason Phillips, CEO of Friant Water Authority.
"Diminished water supplies have severely impacted agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley. Farmers can't produce the food needed to feed our nation without adequate water. Not only that, water shortages hurt rural communities, including disadvantaged areas, wildlife refuges, and the region's economy. We must support infrastructure investments, including financial and technical assistance, to enhance the Valley's capacity to store more water in our depleted groundwater basins." said Austin Ewell, Executive Director, Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley.
"The Every Drop Counts Act and the Groundwater Technical Assistance Act, both bipartisan legislative efforts, have the potential to be foundationally complementary to our Central Valley's and California's path towards water sustainability and resilience. Many of our Valley communities depend and appreciate the championing of these legislative efforts; I'm genuinely excited and hopeful about this effort," said Eddie Campo, Self-Help Enterprises.
BACKGROUND
Since 2019, California has added 8.7 million acre-feet to its groundwater storage, including 4.1 million acre-feet of managed recharge in 2023 alone. This increase is equivalent to the annual water usage of 26.1 million households. This progress was fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invested over $65 million in groundwater projectsthroughout the San Joaquin Valley.
The Every Drop Counts Actwould expand the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Small Storage Program by making it easier for groundwater projects to qualify for funding, increase the amount of water they can store, and stabilize underground aquifers. This would benefit projects like the Kern Fan Groundwater Recharge Project and the Upper Kings River Water Resiliency Program, helping the San Joaquin Valley better prepare for drought and have a more reliable and flexible water supply. This legislation is cosponsored by David Valadao (CA-22), Adam Gray (CA-13), Josh Harder (CA-09), and Russ Fulcher (ID-01).
The Groundwater Recharge Technical Assistance Actprovides $3 million annually to support groundwater recharge projects. This would empower the Secretary of the Interior (DOI) to use unobligated funds under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Western Water funding for aquifer storage, clean drinking water, and flood protection efforts. This legislation aims to strengthen drought resilience and help the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation address extreme weather challenges in California and the West. This legislation is cosponsored by David Valadao (CA-22), Adam Gray (CA-13), Josh Harder (CA-09), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), and Mike Thompson (CA-04).
"Groundwater recharge is one of the most effective ways to build resilience against drought," said Congressman Costa."These bipartisan bills build on the success of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by leveraging federal resources for groundwater recharge projects that provide long-term solutions to safeguard the San Joaquin Valley from the impacts of extreme drought."
"The San Joaquin Valley produces crops that feed families across our nation, but for too long has struggled to maintain sufficient access to water for farmers," said Congressman Gray."It's time to cut the red tape holding our agricultural communities back from expanding their capacity. I'm proud to join a bipartisan group of my colleagues as an original cosponsor of the Every Drop Counts Act and the Groundwater Recharge Technical Assistance Act to protect and strengthen water access for farmers in my San Joaquin Valley district and across the country."
"As a dairy farmer and lifelong resident of the Central Valley, I know firsthand the devastating impacts of water shortages on our agricultural industry, communities, and economy," said Congressman Valadao. "Water is the lifeblood of our region, and these pieces of legislation take essential steps to maximize water storage, recharge groundwater, and ensure California has access to this vital resource. With these improvements, we can better address the challenges of drought, stabilize our water tables, and secure our water future."
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?
"As we face the ongoing challenges of water scarcity in the West, the introduction of the Every Drop Counts Act, and the Groundwater Technical Assistance Act represents a useful step toward ensuring a sustainable future for our communities, ecosystems, and farms. These bipartisan efforts will not only enhance our capabilities for groundwater recharge but also empower local agencies to innovate and implement solutions that restore our vital aquifers. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a resilient water supply that supports agriculture, the environment, and the needs of our growing population." said Jason Phillips, CEO of Friant Water Authority.
"Diminished water supplies have severely impacted agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley. Farmers can't produce the food needed to feed our nation without adequate water. Not only that, water shortages hurt rural communities, including disadvantaged areas, wildlife refuges, and the region's economy. We must support infrastructure investments, including financial and technical assistance, to enhance the Valley's capacity to store more water in our depleted groundwater basins." said Austin Ewell, Executive Director, Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley.
"The Every Drop Counts Act and the Groundwater Technical Assistance Act, both bipartisan legislative efforts, have the potential to be foundationally complementary to our Central Valley's and California's path towards water sustainability and resilience. Many of our Valley communities depend and appreciate the championing of these legislative efforts; I'm genuinely excited and hopeful about this effort," said Eddie Campo, Self-Help Enterprises.
BACKGROUND
Since 2019, California has added 8.7 million acre-feet to its groundwater storage, including 4.1 million acre-feet of managed recharge in 2023 alone. This increase is equivalent to the annual water usage of 26.1 million households. This progress was fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invested over $65 million in groundwater projectsthroughout the San Joaquin Valley.
The Every Drop Counts Actwould expand the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Small Storage Program by making it easier for groundwater projects to qualify for funding, increase the amount of water they can store, and stabilize underground aquifers. This would benefit projects like the Kern Fan Groundwater Recharge Project and the Upper Kings River Water Resiliency Program, helping the San Joaquin Valley better prepare for drought and have a more reliable and flexible water supply. This legislation is cosponsored by David Valadao (CA-22), Adam Gray (CA-13), Josh Harder (CA-09), and Russ Fulcher (ID-01).
The Groundwater Recharge Technical Assistance Actprovides $3 million annually to support groundwater recharge projects. This would empower the Secretary of the Interior (DOI) to use unobligated funds under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Western Water funding for aquifer storage, clean drinking water, and flood protection efforts. This legislation aims to strengthen drought resilience and help the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation address extreme weather challenges in California and the West. This legislation is cosponsored by David Valadao (CA-22), Adam Gray (CA-13), Josh Harder (CA-09), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), and Mike Thompson (CA-04).