Congress Passes Water Resources Reform and Development Act
CSAC Worked Closely with California Delegation on Legislation Key to Counties
Both houses of Congress have now overwhelmingly passed an important piece of legislation that bodes well for the California Counties that rely on levees to protect them from flooding. The Water Resources Reform and Development Act passed through the House of Representatives Tuesday on a vote of 412-4, and the Senate passed the same legislation Thursday by a vote of 91-7. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation, although the timing is not yet certain.
CSAC Worked closely with the California Congressional delegation on the bill, including Representative Doris Matsui and Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer. “This is really great news for California Counties and other levee management agencies,” said Karen Keene, CSAC’s Director of Federal Affairs. “Under the bill the Corps must re-examine the policy that requires levee management agencies to remove all trees and bushes from levees in order to be eligible for federal disaster assistance if there’s a flood.”