Water project: Friant-Kern Canal.
The bill seeks to address the pressing water needs of both agricultural and urban customers relying on the Friant-Kern Canal, which stretches over 152 miles. By increasing the canal's capacity to convey between 15,000 and 30,000 acre-feet of water annually, the project promises to deliver adequate relief to overburdened irrigation districts on the east side of the San Joaquin Valley. This initiative is framed within the context of ongoing drought conditions in California, emphasizing the need for efficient water management and improved drought resiliency.
Assembly Bill 176, introduced by Assembly Member Salas, is a legislative proposal aimed at funding a significant water project related to the Friant-Kern Canal. Specifically, the bill appropriates $7 million from the General Fund for the construction of the Reverse Flow Pump-back Facilities. These facilities are intended to enhance the canal's operational capacity, enabling better recirculation and returning of captured restoration flows. The project aims to provide crucial water supplies to areas in the San Joaquin Valley that have faced shortages, particularly after two years of zero water allocation from the Central Valley Project.
However, while supporters argue that this project will alleviate immediate water delivery issues and lessen the dependency on groundwater sources, critics may raise concerns regarding the long-term sustainability and environmental impacts of diverting surface water. The expectation of reduced reliance on groundwater wells is a notable point, as it suggests a cautious approach toward preserving valuable aquifers in the region amidst fluctuating water availability. The necessity for a special statute, as referenced in the bill, plays into broader debates about water governance and emergency measures taken in response to climate-related challenges.