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Photo courtesy of Mike Garcia's office.

Garcia Introduces Bill Aimed At Improving California’s Access To Water

Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, introduced a bill Wednesday that would extend “critical water supply provisions” in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act for the next seven years in an effort to improve California’s access to water.

On Wednesday, Garcia introduced a bill that would enact a seven-year extension for “critical water supply provisions” in the WIIN Act, which became law at the end of 2016.

“These provisions ensure that California has the storage capabilities and operational flexibility necessary to provide Californians the access to water they deserve and need,” Garcia said in a statement Wednesday. “Allowing these provisions to expire would put the state at great risk during future droughts.”

California has experienced below-average precipitation over the past five months, a trend that is expected to continue throughout the year. Officials say that these indicators point to a critically dry year, making Californians’ access to water particularly essential. 

“We would like to thank Congressman Garcia for recognizing the importance of investing in the nation’s water infrastructure,” said Matt Stone, general manager of Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, in a statement Wednesday. “This legislation will reauthorize important water storage and water recycling programs at the Bureau of Reclamation that benefit SCV Water and its ratepayers, and this bill will protect public health, promote economic development, and improve the quality of our environment.”

The WIIN Act was originally put into place in 2016 by Republican Representative Kevin McCarthy and Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein following one of the most severe droughts in the history of California. 

See Related: Garcia Discusses School Re-Openings, SCV Politics Live With KHTS

During that drought, Californians were forced to significantly reduce their water consumption, causing “massive devastation to the state’s economy, and most importantly the agricultural sector.”

“California Republicans have a reputation of fighting for fair water policies, and our delegation is made stronger through Congressman Mike Garcia’s leadership,” McCarthy said in a statement Wednesday. “Though Mike has been in Congress for less than a year, he understands the critical resource that water plays in our communities and our State’s desperate need for an extension of the California water provisions under the WIIN Act.”

In addition to McCarthy, the bill was co-sponsored by the entire House Republican California delegation.

“California cannot afford to relive the devastation of recent droughts,” Garcia said. “We have to think ahead and maintain these water provisions to prepare for dry years to come.” 

The full bill can be read here.


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Garcia Introduces Bill Aimed At Improving California’s Access To Water

7 comments

  1. Mike Garcia (Q-CA) Focus on the bills at hand and stop being an obstructionist

  2. Berta González-Harper

    Obstructionist? By trying to make sure we have sufficient water to meet our needs? Gosh Jim I had no idea that trying to make sure we have enough water is not the right thing to do so I can only assume you are nuts. Thank you Congressman Garcia.

  3. Providing enough water living in the dessert with centuries of cyclical drought has always been a challenge, but don’t forget, it’s 100% caused by global warming/climate change/humans carbon/fireplaces/ smoking/flatulence and now legalized dope smoking—the 1000s of new houses/apartments aren’t helping.

  4. I’m more insulted that Garcia is touting the Bill as his own legislation, like he’s really doing something.

    His own press releases states Garcia is signing an extension to a bill – the WINN Act which was put into place in 2016.

  5. To whom it may concern,

    The WIIN Act was originally put into place in 2016 by Republican Representative Kevin McCarthy and Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein following one of the most severe droughts in the history of California.

    Congress passed the WIIN Act legislation on December 16, 2016, with a “sunset date of December 16, 2021”, this legislation is set to expire on the date that is 5 years after the date of its enactment…
    i.e. this year

    So, the way I read it, Garcia said in a statement Wednesday. “Allowing these provisions to expire would put the state at great risk during future droughts.”
    His goal was hopefully is to not let that happen.
    And frankly, I get insulted reading misinformed comments coming from misinformed
    ‘Lying dog-faced pony soldiers’ as your leader would say.

    Come on man.

  6. Wow. This is the best the California delegation can pull off?

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About Michael Brown

Michael Brown has lived in Santa Clarita his whole life. Graduating from Saugus High School in 2016, he continued to stay local by attending The Master’s University, where he achieved a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Michael joined KHTS in January of 2018 as a news intern, and has since gone on to become the News Director for the KHTS Newsroom. Since joining KHTS, Michael has covered many breaking news stories (both on scene and on air), interviewed dozens of prominent state and federal political figures, and interacted with hundreds of residents from Santa Clarita. When he is not working, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, as well as reading any comic book he can get his hands on.