Feinstein introduces bill to help restore Friant-kern Canal

On Thursday, Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced the Restoration of Essential Conveyance Act, a bill that includes California water priorities contained in the Move Water Now Act previously introduced by U.S. Congressman T.J. Cox last year..

“We have to find better ways to use the water we have,” Feinstein said. “Restoring the San Joaquin Valley’s canals is one of the most efficient ways to improve the sustainability of California’s water supply. It would allow us to capture more winter storm floodwaters.”

Feinstein added restoring the Friantkern Canal would stop the declining level of the canal, the subsidence, thus meaning the reduction of groundwater pumping wouldn’t be as severe. “This bill would give our farmers a fighting chance.”

The Move Water Act would provide $200 million for restoration of the Friant-kern Canal and another $200 million for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program.

It’s estimated the cost of restoring the Friant-kern Canal would be at least $350 to $500 million. There have been several pieces of legislation on the state and federal level which addresses restoring the Friant-kern Canal.

“I thank Senator Feinstein for her leadership in the Senate and being a champion for California water and agriculture,” Cox said. “Like her, I’m ready to work with everyone and anyone to bring water to the Valley, for our communities and for our ag economy. Her bill contains important funding also proposed by my Move Water Now Act, which provides funds to fix the Friant-kern Canal and restore the San Joaquin River.”

Sen. Feinstein’s bill also includes priorities from another bill Rep. Cox is co-leading, the Conveyance Capacity Correction Act, introduced by Rep. Jim Costa. This bill provides $400 million for the Deltamendota Canal and the California Aqueduct.