ACWA applauds Senate passage of Water Resources Development Act

• Senator Boxer provides key leadership

WASHINGTON, DC, Sept. 24, 2007 -- Today, the United States Senate passed the conference version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) by a vote of 81 to 12. Senator Barbara Boxer, Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works committee, provided key leadership in shepherding the measure through her committee and the Senate floor.

Upon passage, ACWA Executive Director Tim Quinn said, "ACWA applauds the passage of WRDA and commends Senator Boxer for her leadership and determination on this vital legislation that will begin to revamp California's water infrastructure system."

The bill authorizes thousands of Army Corps of Engineers water infrastructure projects throughout the United States, hundreds of which are located in California. Notably, the Conference report includes an authorization for a study to determine the feasibility of environmental pilot projects for Salton Sea restoration and authorizes $30 million in federal funding for these projects. The bill also includes $444 million in federal funding for a flood control project on the American and Sacramento Rivers which would include the construction of an auxiliary spillway associated with Folsom Dam.

Earlier this year on August 1, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) by an overwhelming vote of 381-40.

The bill now goes to President Bush for his signature. If the President does indeed veto the bill, it is expected the House and Senate will have an ample amount of votes to override the veto.

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 450 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California.

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