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The U.S. Senate
acted January 23 to authorize storage studies to proceed under the
CALFED Bay-Delta Program. The language
was part of an amendment to the pending 2003 omnibus appropriations
bill. It will restore the Bureau of Reclamation's authority to conduct
water storage feasibility studies in specific locations which are
essential to maintaining balance with the Program's continuing work
on ecosystem restoration and water quality.
The legislation
applies to the 2003 appropriations cycle, ending October 31, and
would have to be renewed next year. It will be subject to reconciliation
with the House omnibus appropriations bill before moving to the
President's desk.
The language
was passed as a manager's amendment to the omnibus appropriations
bill with support from California Senator Dianne Feinstein, and
was carried by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), ranking member of the
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with the consent of
Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM). Passed by unanimous consent, the
measure will restart Bureau storage studies that had on hold been
due to uncertainty over the Program's federal authorization.
CALFED's multi-year
mission is to restore the Bay-Delta environment while improving
water reliability and water quality for California.
Text of language
as modified:
"The Secretary
of the Interior, and the heads of other participating Federal agencies,
may participate in the CALFED Bay-Delta Authority established by
the California Bay-Delta Act (2002 Cal. Stat. Chap. 812), to the
extent not inconsistent with other law. The Secretary of the Interior,
in carrying out CALFED activities, may undertake feasibility studies
for Sites Reservoir, Las Vaqueros Enlargement, In-Delta Storage,
and Upper San Joaquin Storage projects. These storage studies should
be pursued along with on-going environmental and other projects
in a balanced manner."
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