A package of legislation recently passed by the U.S. Senate includes funding and provisions for Lake Mendocino, the office of Rep. Jared Huffman (D – San Rafael) reported.
In a press release, Huffman described the Water Resources Development Act 2024 as improving “critical water resources infrastructure” … and advancing “projects that improve wastewater, stormwater and flood control infrastructure.”
Huffman pointed to several provisions he “led or championed” as components of the bill, including:
Expediting feasibility studies for flood control and conservation at Coyote Valley Dam. Advancing offshore wind development in Humboldt Harbor by initiating a feasibility study to examine safely modifying the channel. Extending a pilot program for economically disadvantaged communities that allows up to 100-percent federal cost share for such communities. Authorizes 124 new feasibility studies for future water resources development projects, and 36 studies to modify existing projects Adds water supply as one of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ primary missions in recognition of the Corps’ expertise in water management and the growing urgency for infrastructure capable of protecting people and the environment from increasingly severe and prolonged drought. Encourages communities to partner with the Corps to construct and modify water resources projects to enhance drought resilience and to capture, recycle, and reuse stormwater. Addresses harmful algal blooms by prioritizing activities that reduce nutrient pollution, use natural and nature-based approaches, and protect wetlands. Continues initiatives for aquatic ecosystem restoration, including those that benefit anadromous fish habitat passage, such as salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Encourages public-private partnerships to leverage private sector resources for the public good, creating and sustaining good-paying jobs. Incorporates greater use of state-of-the-art Forecasted-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) to allow the Corps to be nimble in managing its infrastructure and balance flood risk reduction with a growing need to maximize the capture and storage of any available water in drought-prone areas.During a visit to Lake Mendocino in June of 2024, Huffman pointed to the reservoir as the focal point of the FIRO research.
“The folks at Sonoma Water, and Scripps Institute, and NOAA have been urging for a long time for modernizing the way we consider weather forecasting and dam operations in a way that is just going to work better, which is the fruits of the FIRO process, and this is the place that really piloted it in California, right here at Lake Mendocino, so we do innovate, and we do look ahead, and do great things.”
The release also points to provisions from the LAKES Act (Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong) that seeks to “expand opportunities to improve and develop outdoor recreation facilities at USACE managed areas.
“Outdoor recreation is a fundamental part of life for folks in my district, and its popularity – and the demand for increased access – is growing nationwide. Local favorites for my constituents, like Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino, provide all kinds of opportunities for outdoor fun. But local managers have to jump through countless hoops to keep these places safe and enjoyable,” Huffman is quoted as saying about the LAKES Act, noting that “under current law, USACE recreation facilities cannot retain recreation fee revenues collected onsite, an authority afforded to the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service. “Our bill will guarantee the Army Corps can retain recreation fees at the sites they’re collected and it will open doors for management partnerships with tribes and local organizations so we can all care for the country’s treasured public spaces.”
The LAKES Act would:
Allow USACE to retain 80-percent of recreation fees collected onsite for operation and management expenses at that location. Amend the Challenge Cost Sharing Cooperative Management Agreement authority to enable nonprofit entities to enter into cooperative agreements to operate and maintain recreation facilities under USACE jurisdiction. Keep resources and decision-making related to the operation and maintenance of recreation facilities under USACE jurisdiction in the hands of local managers rather than federal officials.The WRDA 2024 act was passed by the Senate on Dec. 18.
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