Local Priorities Included in Water Resources Development Act Passed by the House

Press Release

LOCAL PRIORITIES INCLUDED IN WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT PASSED BY THE HOUSE

Today Rep. Calvert (R-CA) was pleased to announce two local projects were included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), H.R 1495. The bill passed the House by 394 to 25.

"Southern California is essentially a desert by the sea so it is imperative that we support water conservation projects such as Prado Dam and Seven Oaks Dam," said Rep. Calvert. "In addition to conservation benefits, these dams provide crucial flood protection for communities downstream of the Santa Ana River."

The Water Resources Development Act

Congress generally authorizes new Army Corps of Engineers water resources studies and projects in a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) before appropriating funds to them. While WRDA enactment previously had loosely followed a biennial schedule, the most recent WRDA was enacted in 2000.

At the direction of Congress, the Corps plans, builds, operates, and maintains a wide range of water resources facilities in U.S. states and territories. The agency's traditional civil responsibilities have been creating and maintaining navigable channels and controlling floods; in the last two decades, Congress has increased the Corps' responsibilities in ecosystem restoration, municipal water and wastewater infrastructure, disaster relief, and other activities. Congressional direction comes primarily through authorization and appropriations legislation and oversight activities. WRDA is the main legislative vehicle for Corps civil works authorizations.

Seven Oaks Dam

Seven Oaks Dam was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide flood protection for communities downstream of the Santa Ana River. The local project sponsors are the Flood Control Districts of Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange Counties. Under an agreement with the local sponsors, Western Municipal Water District in Riverside and San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District have spent over $4 million to facilitate water conservation efforts at the dam. Through these efforts, the dam is now equipped to store water during wet seasons and release into the system during dry times. The language included in H.R. 1495 would authorize the Secretary to conduct a study of water conservation at the dam.

Prado Dam

There is currently a water conservation program operating at Prado Dam. The program began in the early 1990s, as a result of an agreement between the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Orange County Water District (OCWD). The program has operated very successfully, saving some 8,000 acre feet of water per year that would otherwise flow into the ocean. While the current program has operated under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Corps and OCWD, once Prado Dam has been raised by 30 feet, the authorization provided by H.R. 1495 is needed to guarantee that the existing water conservation program will continue without change.

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