Title
Authorize the General Manager to initiate support for Bill HR338, the Every Drop Counts Act. (Staff: Ara Azhderian)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors:
Authorize the General Manager to initiate support for Bill HR338, the Every Drop Counts Act.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On January 13, 2025, a bipartisan group of San Joaquin Valley representatives introduced HR 338. The bill aims to amend the Bureau of Reclamation’s Small Storage Program currently authorized through 2026 under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (a.k.a. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) to provide a federal cost share to eligible, small surface and groundwater storage projects. Currently, the Program has approximately $43.5 million available for federal fiscal-years 2025 and 2026 and the latest funding opportunity opened in September 2024. The federal cost share cannot exceed the lesser of 25 percent of project cost or $30 million dollars. Reclamation continues to accept feasibility study submissions at any time and is encouraging non-Federal entities to submit their feasibility studies by Spring 2025 for consideration. This funding opportunity provides financial assistance for projects that will increase water supply reliability, improve operational flexibility, and enhance climate resiliency of water and related infrastructure throughout the 17 western states, Alaska, and Hawaii. In accordance with the current BIL, as previously amended, projects must have a water storage capacity of not less than 200 acre-feet and not more than 30,000 acre-feet. Water conveyance projects are also eligible.
HR 338 would extend authorization of the funding by another 5 years and expand eligibility by increasing the potential size of groundwater storage projects to a maximum recharge potential of 150,000 acre-feet. The Association of California Water Agencies Federal Affairs Committee is recommending a “support” position. The Agency has an interest in the success of this bill to potentially support future Sustainable Groundwater Management Act related activities in the Salinas Valley Basin.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
On February 10, 2025, the County of Monterey’s Legislative Committee adopted a “Support” position and authorized their Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division to work the bill.
FINANCING:
None.
Prepared and Approved by: Ara Azhderian, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. ACWA FAC Memo RE: HR338 Every Drop Counts Act
2. Bill HR338 The Every Drop Counts Act, Costa et. al. DRAFT
3. DRAFT LTR WRA RE: HR338, the Every Drop Counts Act - Support Panetta-Lofgren
4. Board Order