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Madera Water Supply Enhancement Act

Date: Oct. 22, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Natural Resources


MADERA WATER SUPPLY ENHANCEMENT ACT -- (House of Representatives - October 22, 2007)

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Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3897, the Madera Water Supply Enhancement Act. This legislation authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to participate in the design and construction of the Madera Water Supply Enhancement Project. This important water bank project will help improve water supply in California's San Joaquin Valley, which includes my congressional district.

The Project will be located on the over 13,000-acre Madera Ranch, where the soils are ideal for percolating water from the surface to the aquifer for storage. The land is also a valuable habitat for numerous species and contains large sections of the region's native grasslands.

Since I first introduced this legislation in early 2006 the water supply needs of the area have only increased. Court decisions and drought have led to an increasing demand on water supply in California. Groundwater pumping is exceeding groundwater recharge by approximately 100,000 acre-feet per year, causing severe groundwater level declines. This water bank, by storing excess water in wet years, will provide a much needed source of water in dry years and facilitate the restoration of groundwater levels over time.

The Madera Irrigation District has worked tirelessly to develop this exciting and innovative project that will increase water supply, provide groundwater resource protection, contribute to habitat conservation and have other positive impacts on the severe water supply and reliability problem in the area.

The looming water crisis in California demands more feasible water supply projects, such as this water bank. I am encouraged by the authorization of this project and look forward to many more projects to ensure the water supply and quality in California. Companion legislation has been introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein. Hopefully, with the support of the Senate we will see this project come to fruition.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to expand water supply opportunities in Madera and California's San Joaquin Valley.

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