Twenty-First Century Water Commission
This bill is to establish the Twenty-First Century Water Commission to study and develop recommendations for a comprehensive water strategy to address future water needs. It identifies the need to understand the multitude of water policies in effect in the US with the purpose of making comprehensive management recommendations to recognize water (even floodwater!) as a precious substance. It discusses methods to optimize water supply reliability, availability, and quality, while safeguarding the environment; recommends means of capturing excess water and floodwater for conservation and use in the event of a drought; and suggests financing options for comprehensive water management projects and for appropriate public works projects. (Text of Legislation) Appropriations for the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund
This measure extends by $61.2 million the authorization of federal funds for the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund, originally created to help clean up perchlorate contamination and provide safe drinking water to southern California. The San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority will receive $50 million and the Central Basin Municipal Water District will receive $11.2 million. The initial federal authorization was $85 million; the estimated total cost of clean up is now $1 billion. (Text of Legislation)
Great Lakes Water Protection Act
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a deadline for restricting sewage dumping into the Great Lakes and to fund programs and activities for improving wastewater discharges into the Great Lakes. The act establishes a trust fund to be known as the Great Lakes Cleanup Fund and is effective January 1, 2029. It authorizes appropriations for the fund equivalent to the penalties collected for violations of section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Funds are to be made available to the Great Lakes states for improving wastewater discharges and other activities in proportion to fines collected. (Text of Legislation)
San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement
This is a bill to authorize the implementation of the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement. The San Joaquin River Restoration Program is a comprehensive long-term effort to restore flows to the San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the confluence of Merced River, ensure irrigation supplies to Friant Water users, and restore a self-sustaining fishery in the river. This legislation will authorize appropriations not to exceed $250 million; $88 million is to be collected in the San Joaquin River Restoration Fund through October 1, 2019. The bill authorizes the use of monies from the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund ($20 million), a commitment of at least $200 million by the state of California. (Text of Legislation)
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