WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement celebrating the Trump Administration’s commitment to releasing $540 million in funds for California water storage and conveyance projects to support critical water infrastructure improvements.

“After nearly a year of work, I'm proud to announce California will receive $540 million to support critical storage and conveyance projects across the state—the most significant water investment California has ever seen," said Congressman Valadao. "These funds, which my California Republican colleagues and I secured through the Working Families Tax Cut, will restore capacity, strengthen reliability, and improve our ability to capture and deliver water supplies. I appreciate the Trump Administration's efforts to ensure these resources reach the communities that need them most, and I look forward to continuing to work together to deliver a stable and secure water supply for California's 22nd Congressional District."

“Since being elected to Congress, Congressman Valadao's top priority has been to deliver real water solutions for his constituents. There isn’t a discussion or decision that’s made in Washington D.C. that doesn’t have him at the head of the table. As is the case with many of the issues and projects Congressman Valadao works on, the announcement made today will leave a lasting imprint on the east side of the San Joaquin Valley for generations. And the districts and communities that rely on the Friant-Kern Canal will forever be grateful,” said Johnny Amaral, CEO of the Friant Water Authority.

“This investment marks an important step toward restoring the capacity and performance of the Delta-Mendota Canal, a critical component of the Central Valley Project. Improving this infrastructure will strengthen water deliveries to communities, farms, businesses, and wildlife refuges across the region. We appreciate the leadership of Representatives David Valadao and Vince Fong and the Administration for advancing this funding to help improve the long-term affordability and reliability of the project," said Federico Barajas, Executive Director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority.

"Westlands Water District applauds the Trump Administration and California congressional delegation members for their commitment to strengthening California's water storage and conveyance infrastructure. Federal funding for the Shasta Dam enlargement is a long-overdue investment in water supply reliability, one that will help California capture, store, and move water during wet years for use during inevitable dry years. Expanding storage and conveyance capacity is essential to sustaining the productive farmland and family farmers who feed America,” said Westlands Water District.

Key investments Congressman Valadao helped secure across California include:

• $235 million for the Delta-Mendota Canal to raise canal embankments, repair check structures, and advance potential construction of a new concrete-lined canal segment.
• $200 million for the Friant-Kern Canal for subsidence correction efforts.
• $50 million for the San-Luis Canal to address subsidence issues affecting water delivery reliability.
• $40 million to support planning and preconstruction activities associated with raising Shasta Dam to increase water storage capacity by roughly 634,000 acre-feet.
• $15 million for the Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority to increase flow rates and improve system performance.

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