BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Recommendations on Federal Legislation: H.R. 2473 (Harder) - Securing Access for the Central Valley and Enhancing (SAVE) Water Resources Act; and Other Legislation That May Require Urgent Consideration for a Position by the Board.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt a position of "Support and Amend" on H.R. 2473 (Harder) - Securing Access for the Central Valley and Enhancing (SAVE) Water Resources Act.
Body
SUMMARY:
H.R. 2473 (Harder) - Securing Access for the central Valley and Enhancing
(SAVE) Water Resources Act
Recommendation: Support and Amend
Priority: 1
This bill is an effort to address the continued need for new water supply and improved water infrastructure in California and throughout the arid West. With the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act expiring in 2021 and much of the funding having already been exhausted, this bill would extend some of the WIIN Act provisions and authorize new funding. Specifically, the bill includes new funding for WIIN Act storage projects and Title XVI water recycling and desalination projects; requires an evaluation of potential groundwater storage and recharge opportunities; and creates a new Reclamation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Pilot (RIFIA) Program modeled after the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program to finance large wastewater, drinking water, and other water resources infrastructure projects.
Status:
The bill was introduced on May 2, 2019, and was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. Among the cosponsors is Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20).
Proposed Amendments:
In order to better promote the interests of Santa Clara County residents, Valley Water recommends the following amendments to the bill:
1. Include language that will automatically enable State-led projects (defined under Sec. 4007 of the WIIN Act) that have been funded through a competitive process and have received some minimu...
Click here for full text