San Joaquin Valley Democratic Reps. Jim Costa and Adam Gray unveiled a new federal legislative effort this week aimed at expanding water infrastructure and storage capacity to confront the state’s persistent water challenges. The End the California Water Crisis Package comprises a suite of bills designed to increase water supplies, streamline environmental reviews and ease permitting barriers for critical projects.
The package would authorize funding and technical support for a series of storage projects across California’s Central Valley and beyond, addressing both surface and groundwater needs. Key elements include authorizing specific storage and conveyance projects, tightening timelines for federal reviews, and improving interagency coordination to expedite construction of infrastructure that backers say is essential to drought resilience.
“California needs a modern water system that can meet today’s challenges,” Costa said in a joint release. “By improving coordination, cutting through red tape, and investing in real projects on the ground, we can use all of our water tools in our toolbox to deliver more reliable water for families, farms, and communities across our state.”
Gray echoed the call, emphasizing the economic and environmental stakes for his district.
“A reliable water supply is essential for valley families and our economy,” said Gray. “My End California Water Crisis Package aims to strengthen and grow California’s water infrastructure so we can maintain dependable water supplies, reduce flood risks, and responsibly manage water flow to preserve our environment while unleashing agricultural production.”
Among the proposed measures is the Water Agency and Transparency Enhancement Review (WATER) Act, which would enhance federal coordination on water project permitting, and the Build Now Act, which aims to set firm one-year deadlines for environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act for defined water infrastructure projects. A third component, the Central Valley Water Solution Act, would green-light more than 20 targeted projects south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, including groundwater recharge and conveyance improvements.
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Supporters argue that decades of underinvestment and regulatory gridlock have left California’s water system ill-prepared for more extreme droughts and storms linked to climate change.
“This pragmatic approach will cut through years of red tape and accelerate projects that will make a difference now,” said Allison Febbo, general manager of the Westlands Water District. “Solving California’s water crisis takes all of us working together to reform a system that hasn’t worked for people, food production or the environment for far too long.”
Chris White, executive director of the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority, said the proposal reflects a practical shift in federal water policy.
“This legislative package is exactly the type of pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach California needs,” said White. “Streamlining federal permitting and advancing long-overdue water infrastructure projects will help us capture, store and move water when it’s available.”
Federico Barajas, executive director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, said areas south of the Delta have borne the brunt of unreliable supplies for decades.
“There is a clear solution: We must develop and deliver water supply projects faster and more affordably,” said Barajas.
Jason Phillips, CEO of Friant Water Authority, pointed to provisions that would codify elements of President Donald Trump’s order to expand water supplies and improve coordination among federal agencies.
“Our communities and farms can improve their access to the water resources they desperately need,” said Phillips.
