# Plain Language Summary: WATER for California Act

This bill is designed to increase California's water supply during droughts by changing how two major water systems—the federal Central Valley Project (CVP) and California's State Water Project (SWP)—operate together. Think of these as two massive plumbing systems that deliver water across California to farms, cities, and towns. Right now, environmental regulations limit how much water these systems can move to protect endangered fish species. This bill essentially tells federal agencies to prioritize getting more water to farms and cities while still following existing environmental protections.

The bill makes several key changes. First, it directs the two water systems to operate according to a specific plan called the "Preferred Alternative" that was developed in 2019. This plan aims to deliver more water to agricultural and urban users compared to other operational strategies. Second, the bill prevents federal or state officials from changing these operations unless California experiences four consecutive years of severe drought (the worst drought levels on the U.S. Drought Monitor) AND they notify Congress 120 days in advance. This creates a high bar for making new environmental restrictions. Third, the bill protects water contractors—the farms and water districts that buy water from these systems—from bearing the costs of any new environmental measures. If California state law reduces water supplies to protect the environment, the bill requires the federal system to make up the difference for state water contractors.

The bill also includes provisions about fish management in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, prevents California from restricting certain fishing activities, and authorizes new water storage projects, including enlarging Shasta Dam. However, most of these operational rules expire after seven years, meaning Congress would need to renew them if they want them to continue. This bill essentially shifts the balance toward maximizing water supply for human use while making it much harder to implement stricter environmental protections without explicit congressional approval and severe drought conditions.

WATER for California

Valadao, David G.

Working to Advance Tangible and Effective Reforms for California Act or the WATER for California Act This bill addresses the operation of the Central Valley Project (CVP), a federal water project in California owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, and the California State Water Project (SWP), which is operated jointly with the CVP. Specifically, the bill requires that Reclamation operate the CVP and SWP pursuant to a specified alternative to a proposed action in a final environmental impact statement and 2019 agency published Biological Opinions (BiOps). The bill also requires Reclamation and the Department of Commerce to submit a justification to Congress that meets certain requirements prior to requesting or completing a reinitiation of consultation that will result in new BiOps. This bill also requires Reclamation to allocate water to existing agricultural water service contractors within the CVP's Sacramento River Watershed based on the water year type (e.g., dry, wet). These allocations must not affect the United States' ability or obligations to deliver water under other designated contracts. Further, the bill repeals certain eligibility requirements for water infrastructure construction funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to make the Shasta Dam and Reservoir Enlargement Project in California eligible for funding. The bill also requires that Reclamation funds made available but not used for this project in previous appropriations years be made available to the project. Finally, the bill reauthorizes Reclamation's support for the construction or expansion of water storage projects.