Costa applauds California Water Board Approval of Federal Request to capture flood flows, recharge groundwater

WASHINGTON - Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) issued the following statement following the California State Water Board’s approval of a petition filed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to divert over 600,000 acre-feet of San Joaquin River flood waters for wildlife refuges, underground storage, and recharge.

“Recent winter storms are easing the impacts of 3 years of drought,” said Costa. “But we must do all we can to prepare for the next dry spell. I applaud the State Water Board’s approval to capture flood flows and divert more water to communities in the Central Valley, which will help replenish groundwater. Taking action and mastering real-time management will mean that no one goes without having access to clean drinking water, farmers can continue to feed the world and the environment thrives.”

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