Fong Secures Local Wins in Water Resources Development Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously passed H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, bipartisan legislation that authorizes critical water resources infrastructure projects across the country. Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) voted in support of the bill, successfully securing several key wins for the Central Valley.

"Water is the lifeblood of our communities, and this legislation delivers critical investments in the water infrastructure our farmers, families, and businesses rely on every day," said Congressman Fong. "From expanding water storage projects including Pine Flat Lake to protecting our reservoirs from the growing threat of wildfires, I fought to secure needed initiatives and projects that will strengthen our region's water resilience and safeguard our future. These investments will help ensure that the Central Valley has the resources it needs to thrive for generations to come. I am grateful to Chairman Graves and my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for advancing this important legislation."

"The Friant Water Authority is grateful for Congressman Vince Fong's leadership and dedication to ensuring a sustainable water future for our region," said Johnny Amaral, CEO Friant Water Authority. "His efforts to incorporate the valuable findings from airborne snow observatories will significantly enhance our ability to optimize water resources. Furthermore, providing the Army Corps with additional authorities to proactively mitigate wildfire risks around our Valley's reservoirs and lakes is a crucial step in safeguarding our communities and natural resources. Thank you, Congressman Fong, for your commitment to advancing our water management strategies through the Water Resources Development Act."

"As we continue advancing efforts to raise Pine Flat Dam and improve management of the Kings River watershed to reduce flood risk and strengthen long-term drought resilience, we strongly support the important provisions included in the House Committee-passed WRDA bill," said David Merritt, General Manager of the Kings River Conservation District. "We appreciate Representative Fong's continued leadership and support for these critical water resource projects and look forward to working together to advance durable, long-term solutions that benefit the San Joaquin Valley."

"As we strive to raise Buchanan Dam and expand Eastman Reservoir as well as effectively manage the Chowchilla River watershed to mitigate flood risks and enhance drought resilience, we wholeheartedly support the provisions included in the House Committee Passed WRDA bill by Congressman Fong," said Brandon Tomlinson, GM Chowchilla Water District. "We are grateful for Congressman Fong's leadership and Congressman McClintock and Gray's support of our essential water resource projects and look forward to collaborating on enduring solutions for the San Joaquin Valley."

WRDA is bipartisan legislation that Congress has passed every two years since 2014 to improve the nation's ports, harbors, inland waterways, flood protection, and water resources infrastructure. H.R. 9497 authorizes 133 new feasibility studies and 14 projects ready for construction, while streamlining U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) processes and empowering local stakeholders to deliver projects more efficiently.

Thanks to Congressman Fong's advocacy, H.R. 9497 includes the following wins for local communities:

• Pine Flat Dam Raise
  • Accelerates and expedites the completion of a feasibility study for the Pine Flat Dam Raise located in Fresno County, California, with the goal of advancing ecosystem restoration and bolstering water supply.
• Eastman Lake Enlargement - Chowchilla Water Resiliency Project
  • Places the Buchanan Dam Raise on the USACE's Expedited Projects List, accelerating a project that would increase Eastman Lake's capacity by 50,000 acre-feet and deliver approximately 8,750 additional acre-feet of surface water annually to Central Valley growers facing significant groundwater deficits.
• Airborne Snow Observatories (ASO/FIRO)
  • Directs the USACE to incorporate Airborne Snow Observatory flights into reservoir water control manuals, providing real-time snowpack data to improve water storage decisions and reservoir operations across the Central Valley.
• Wildfire Risk Assessments for USACE Dams and Reservoirs
  • Provides new authorities for the USACE to proactively assess wildfire risk at USACE-owned reservoirs, develop mitigation action plans, and partner with non-federal entities to reduce wildfire-related threats to Central Valley water supply reliability. Local USACE projects include Redbank and Fancher Creek, Success Lake, Pine Flat Lake, Lake Kaweah, and Lake Isabella.

• Authorizing major infrastructure projects approved by the USACE
• Reauthorizing the High Hazard Potential Dam safety program through 2031
• Strengthening flood risk management and levee maintenance programs
• Improving inland waterway navigation to support American commerce
• Streamlining USACE processes and reducing federal bureaucracy