ACWA presents legislative award to U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer
The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) has presented its 2007 Legislative Leadership Award to U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) for her efforts to secure passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The award recognizes lawmakers for outstanding achievement in the legislative and policy arenas, including authoring legislation of major importance to California's public water agencies. ACWA Federal Affairs Committee Chair Randy Record presented the award...
• Lawmaker recognized for role in passing Water Resources Development Act
WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 26, 2008 -- The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) has presented its 2007 Legislative Leadership Award to U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) for her efforts to secure passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).
The award recognizes lawmakers for outstanding achievement in the legislative and policy arenas, including authoring legislation of major importance to California's public water agencies. ACWA Federal Affairs Committee Chair Randy Record presented the award to Boxer during ACWA's annual conference in Washington, D.C.
"The successful passage of the Water Resources Development Act was a direct result of Senator Boxer's leadership, hard work and persistence," Record said. "WRDA is by far the most important piece of legislation passed during 2007 in terms of benefits to ACWA member agencies and Californians in every part of the state."
The bill authorizes $1.3 billion in funding for 54 projects in California, including flood control, environmental restoration and levee stability. Among the projects authorized are $600 million to improve flood protection on the American and Sacramento Rivers, $144.5 million for environmental restoration at Matilija Dam in Ventura County, $134.5 million for the Napa River Salt Marsh Restoration project, $106 million for Delta levee improvements and $30 million for environmental pilot projects for Salton Sea restoration.
ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn said passage of WRDA reflected years of work by ACWA and other supporters in cooperation with Boxer. Congress had not passed a WRDA bill in over seven years, leaving many water infrastructure needs without funding.
"Senator Boxer deserves our thanks and recognition for taking on this issue," Quinn said.
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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