On July 18, 2003, the House passed the FY 2004 Energy and Water Appropriations, H.r. 2754, by a vote of 377-26. The bill appropriates a total of $27,080,000,000, $133,836,000 above the President’s budget request, and $941,805,000 above the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2003.

The following represents a quick analysis of the bill from a California perspective as prepared by the California Institute. We apologize for any errors or omissions in our discussion of these documents, and would appreciate any input/feedback/corrections. The ordering of items generally reflects their presence in the bill and does not mean to imply any relative importance.

This appropriations analysis is available on the California Institute web site at http://www.calinst.org/pubs/ew04h.htm , and a pdf format version is available at http://www.calinst.org/pubs/ew04h.pdf.

On July 18, 2003, the House passed the FY 2004 Energy and Water Appropriations, H.r. 2754, by a vote of 377-26. The bill appropriates a total of $27,080,000,000, $133,836,000 above the President’s budget request, and $941,805,000 above the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2003.

The bill provides $4,482,328,000 for the programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a decrease of $156,499,000 below fiscal year 2003 and $288,328,000 over the budget request of $4,194,000,000.

General Investigations and Planning (In Thousands of Dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

California Coastal Sediment Master Plan, California.—The committee has provided $300,000 to execute a feasibility cost sharing agreement and begin the feasibility phase of this study.

San Diego County Special Area Management Plan, California.— The bill includes $250,000 for continuation of a special area management plan study for balancing aquatic resources protection and development in San Diego County.

San Francisco Bay, California.—The bill does not include the $420,000 included in the budget request for a study of navigation hazards in the San Francisco Bay. The local sponsor, California State Lands, decided to terminate the study.

Solana Beach—Encinitas, California.—The Committee has provided $944,000 to complete the feasibility study and report for the Solana Beach—Encinitas shoreline protection project.

Tujunga Wash, California.—The bill includes $300,000 to continue the feasibility phase of the Tujunga Wash environmental restoration project in Studio City.

Coastal Field Data Collection.—The bill includes $3,500,000 for the Coastal Field Data Collection program. The additional funds are to be used for the Southern California Beach Process Study.

Other Coordination Programs.—Funding provided for Other Coordination Programs includes $150,000 for the Corps of Engineers to provide programmatic support to Lake Tahoe restoration activities, including coordination with the Federal Interagency Partnership and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, to implement the Environmental Improvement Program.

Petaluma River, California.—The bill includes $7,300,000 for completion, including required reimbursements, of the flood control project within the city of Petaluma, California.

Sacramento Area, California.—The bill includes $8,600,000 for the Sacramento Area, California, project authorized by section 502 of the Water Resources Act of 1999. The amount provided includes: $1,000,000 for the project to replace water meters and water lines, and undertake canal lining for the Placer County Water Agency; $1,000,000 for the City of Roseville Water Meter Retrofit Program; $4,600,000 for Technical Design and Construction Assistance on the El Dorado Irrigation District, Deer Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant; $800,000 for the Redundant Water Supply Intake at Folsom Reservoir; and $1,200,000 for the El Dorado Irrigation District Sly Park Recreation Area water system.

Santa Ana River Mainstem, California.—The Committee has provided $25,700,000 for continued construction of the Santa Ana River Mainstem project, including $10,000,000 for the acceleration of work on the San Timoteo Creek element.

Shoreline Protection Project (Section 103).—The Committee has provided $3,500,000 for the Section 103 program. Within the amount provided, the recommendation includes: $100,000 to complete the initial appraisal report for the City of Solano Beach, California, project.

Small Navigation Projects (Section 107).—The Committee has provided $8,000,000 for the Section 107 program. Within the amount provided, the recommendation includes: $2,825,000 to complete construction of the Port Hueneme, California, project.

Small Flood Control Projects (Section 205).—The Committee has provided $40,000,000 for the Section 205 program. Within the amount provided, the recommendation includes: $100,000 for a feasibility study of flooding problems in Yucca Valley, California; $460,000 to complete the feasibility study and initiate plans and specifications for the Anaverde Creek, Palmdale, California, project; and $100,000 for the Santa Venetia, California, project.

Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration (Section 206). — The Committee has provided $18,050,000 for the Section 206 program. Within the amount provided, the recommendation includes: $100,000 to initiate the Ecosystem Restoration Report for the Carpinteria Creek Park, California, project; $60,000 to complete plans and specifications for the Upper Sulphur Creek restoration project in California; $300,000 for an Ecosystem Restoration Report for the City of Lodi, California, White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility; $100,000 for an Ecosystem Restoration Report for the Thompson Creek project in Santa Clara County, California; $200,000 for the Ecosystem Restoration Report for the Santa Paula Creek, California, project; $175,000 for the Ecosystem Restoration Report for the Sweetwater Reservoir Wetlands project in California; $100,000 for a Preliminary Restoration Plan for the English Creek, California, project; $200,000 for an Ecosystem Restoration Report for the Arroyo Los Positas, California, project; $360,000 for an Ecosystem Restoration Report for the St. Helena Napa River restoration project in California; and $400,000 for the Ecosystem Restoration Report for the Upper York Creek Dam removal project in California.

Project Modifications for the Improvement of the Environment (Section 1135).—The Committee has provided $16,000,000 for the Section 1135 program. Within the amount provided, the recommendation includes: $300,000 to initiate the feasibility study for the Sand Cove Park, Sacramento River, California, project.

Operation and Maintenance, General. The Committee provides $1,932,575,000 for General Operation and Maintenance. This compares to $1,966,556,000 appropriated in 2003 and $1,939,000,000 requested in the President’s budget. Within the amount appropriated, the following California projects are included (amounts in thousands):

Budget Request Recommended

Los Angeles County Drainage Area, California.—The bill includes $6,931,000 for operation and maintenance of the Los Angeles County Drainage Area project, including $2,000,000 to support Corps of Engineers assistance in local activities to revitalize the project areas for public safety, environmental restoration, recreation, aesthetics, community improvement, and related purposes.

Pillar Point Harbor, California.—The Committee has provided $500,000 for repair of the east breakwater.

San Francisco Bay Long Term Management Strategy, California. —The bill includes $2,000,000 for the Corps of Engineers to continue the San Francisco Bay Long Term Management Strategy, including evaluation of the effects of mercury in wetland restoration projects using dredged material and preparation of the Regional Dredged Material Management Plan and accompanying National Environmental Policy Act documentation.

The bill provides $947,904,000 for the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation, $24,390,000 below the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2003 and $25,696,000 over the budget request of $922,208,000.

The Committee has not provided funding for the California Bay-Delta Restoration program in California pending the enactment of authorizing legislation. The Committee Report states, however: "The Committee remains very supportive of the efforts that have been taken in the State of California to develop this program, which will provide a safe, clean, and reliable water system for millions of people while improving the environment. However, for fiscal year 2004, the Committee has again recommended no funding in the absence of authorizing legislation for this multi-year, multibillion dollar effort. Should this program be reauthorized, the Committee reconsider funding as the bill moves through the appropriations process."

Water 2025 Initiative

In May of this year, the Secretary of the Interior announced a new initiative — Water 2025: Preventing Water Crises and Conflict in the West. The fiscal year 2004 budget request for the Bureau of Reclamation includes $11,000,000 to initiate this effort, the purpose of which is to prevent water supply problems from reaching the crisis stage. The Committee Report states that it supports this effort and has provided the funds requested by the Administration. However, the Committee "is troubled by other actions taken in the fiscal year 2004 budget request that seem to contradict the goals of the Water 2025 program." The Report goes on to cite the importance of water recycling and reuse projects. "However, for some reason, the Administration has determined that continued funding for these projects is not a high priority. For fiscal year 2004, the Administration has requested $12,680,000 for water reclamation and reuse projects, $17,770,000 below the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2003 in spite of the fact that the Administration recognizes that ‘these water reuse and recycling projects help expand water supplies in areas that routinely face severe water shortages, and are especially important in helping to shift California from its dependence on Colorado River water.’ While obviously not the solution to all of the water problems in the West, these projects make an important contribution, and the Committee urges the Administration to reconsider its lack of support for this program."

Water and Related Resources

Budget Request H.R. Recommended

Res.Mgmt OM&R. Res.Mgmt. OM&R

Colorado River Front Work and Levee System, Arizona and California. — The Committee has provided an additional $1,000,000 for the Bureau of Reclamation to continue planning and design of regulating reservoirs near the All-American Canal.

Central Valley Project, American River Division, California.—The Committee is aware that there is a need to construct a temperature control device on the El Dorado Irrigation District water intake at Folsom Dam in California and that legislation has been introduced to provide the necessary increase in the authorized funding level that is needed for the project to be completed. Should the authorization be enacted, the Committee will consider funding for this project as the bill moves through the appropriations process. The Committee is also aware that legislation has been introduced to authorize the construction of a parallel water supply line from Folsom Dam to serve the City of Roseville and the San Juan Water District. The Committee will also consider providing funding for this project as the bill moves through the appropriations process.

Central Valley Project, Delta Division, California.—The Committee has provided an additional $1,400,000 for the Bureau of Reclamation to continue work on the Delta Mendota Canal-California Aqueduct Intertie project.

Central Valley Project, Friant Division, California.—The Committee has provided an additional $2,000,000 for the Bureau of Reclamation to continue the Upper San Joaquin River Basin storage investigation.

Central Valley Project, Miscellaneous Project Programs, California. —The bill includes an additional $400,000 to continue the Kaweah River Delta Corridor Enhancement study. The Committee has also provided an additional $5,000,000 for the continuation of work on the Natomas Mutual Water Company, Reclamation District 108, and Sutter Mutual Water Company fish screen projects.

Central Valley Project, Sacramento River Division, California.— Within the amount provided for the Sacramento River Division, $400,000 is to continue the Colusa Basin Integrated Resources Management Plan. The Committee has also provided $2,422,000 for the Glenn- Colusa Irrigation District fish passage improvement project, including an additional $2,000,000 for the Bureau of Reclamation to reimburse the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District for costs incurred by the District in excess of its non-Federal cost-sharing requirement. In addition, the Committee has provided $1,500,000 for the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District (GCID) and the Tehana-Colusa Canal Authority to continue to carry out, in coordination with the Bureau of Reclamation, detailed, site specific environmental assessment and permitting work with respect to Sites Reservoir, including an evaluation of the utilization of both the GCID Main Canal and the Tehama-Colusa Canal as a means to convey water to the proposed reservoir.

Central Valley Project, West San Joaquin Division, California.— The bill includes an additional $1,000,000 for implementation of the Westside Regional Drainage Plan. The Committee has not provided the funds requested for payment of settlement costs in the case of Sumner Peck Ranch v. Bureau of Reclamation.

Long Beach Water Reclamation Project, California.—The Committee has provided $700,000 to continue work on the Alamitos Barrier Reclaimed Water Project unit of the Long Beach Water Reclamation Project.

Salton Sea Research Project, California.—The bill includes $5,500,000 for the Salton Sea Research Project, including $1,000,000 to continue environmental restoration efforts at the New and Alamo Rivers, $1,000,000 to continue the Imperial Valley groundwater assessment in cooperation with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and $2,500,000 for additional work needed to prepare for the construction of pilot desalination demonstration facilities.

San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund, California.—The bill includes language which provides that $10,000,000 of the funds appropriated for Water and Related Resources shall be deposited in the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund to continue the program to design, construct, and operate projects to contain and treat the spreading groundwater contamination in the San Gabriel and Central Groundwater Basins in California.

Santa Margarita Conjunctive Use Project, California.—The Committee has provided $500,000 for the Bureau of Reclamation to continue the Santa Margarita Conjunctive Use Project, which will provide additional water supplies to Camp Pendleton, and the Fallbrook Public Utilities District.

Southern California Investigations Program, California.—The Committee has provided $2,235,000 for the Southern California Investigations Program, including $500,000 to continue the Chino Basin Conjunctive Use Project, and an additional $600,000 for the Los Angeles Basin Watershed Water Supply Augmentation study.

Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program.—The Committee has provided $3,930,000 for the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program. The amount provided includes $2,500,000 to continue support to the WateRuse Foundation’s research program.

Western Water Initiative.—The Committee has provided $11,000,000, the same as the budget request, for the Western Water Initiative proposed by the Administration. Within the Enhanced Water Management and Conservation program element, the Committee encourages the Bureau of Reclamation to undertake a pilot project for innovative water conservation measures within the Klamath Basin Project.

Central Valley Project Restoration Fund

For fiscal year 2004, the Committee has provided $39,600,000, the same as the budget request, and $8,986,000 below the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2003.

Within the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program, the Committee urges the Bureau of Reclamation to use $500,000 to participate with the Orange Cove Irrigation District to evaluate fishery restoration opportunities in the Mill Creek watershed.

The Committee has included language in the bill which provides that none of the funds made available from the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund may be used for the acquisition or leasing of water for in-stream purposes if the water is already committed to in-stream purposes by a court adopted decree or order.

Klamath Project, Oregon and California.—The Committee has provided an additional $3,000,000 for the Klamath Project water bank program, and an additional $500,000 for long- term planning for the Klamath and Tulelake Wildlife Refuges. In addition, the Committee has provided $2,600,000 for the reimbursement of operation and maintenance expenses incurred by those who did not receive project water.

General Provisions

The Committee has included language proposed by the Administration regarding the San Luis Unit and the Kesterson Reservoir in California. This language has been included in Energy and Water Development Appropriations Acts for several years.

Section 206 of Public Law 101–514 authorized and directed the Secretary of the Interior to enter into water supply contracts with the Sacramento County Water Agency and the San Juan Suburban Water District. The Committee has included language which amends Section 206 by removing the requirement that the contracts include an annual needs determination.

The Committee has included language which authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior to amend the Central Valley Project water supply contracts for the Sacramento County Water Agency and the San Juan Suburban Water District by deleting a provision requiring a determination of annual water needs.

The bill provides $22,016,347,000 for the Department of Energy, an increase of $1,181,915,000 over fiscal year 2003 and $147,020,000 below the budget request of $22,163,376,000. The Committee recognizes the importance of basic research and science programs and has provided an increase of over $200 million above the fiscal year 2003 level. In addition, $7.2 billion is provided for environmental cleanup programs to remediate contaminated defense and non-defense sites throughout the nation.

Federal fusion energy science funding would increase by the largest amount in recent years. California continues to win the lion’s share of federal research and development expenditures related to fusion energy.