Wolk returns from D.C. heartened by discussions with Congress

Seeks state-federal partnerships for resolution of state’s water, flood challenges

SACRAMENTO–Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis), chair of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife, returned last Friday from Washington, D.C., after meeting with federal legislators to garner support for California’s water and flood initiatives. 

Wolk traveled to D.C. to brief California’s Congressional Delegation, including Senators Feinstein and Boxer, on the flood protection and water policy issues challenging California.

“Our discussions revealed that there is great potential for collaboration on these issues,” said Wolk. “California’s congressional delegation now has a better understanding of the state’s critical water issues, and has shown a commitment to working closely with the State in fixing our water and flood system.”

Federal assistance on these issues is especially critical in light of voters’ passage of more than $6 billion in flood and water infrastructure funding last November, she said.

Wolk outlined several potential opportunities for federal assistance, including:

• More legislative action to resolve current ecosystem crisis in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, including a possible legislative summit on the Delta in the fall;
• Reimbursement or credit for the substantial California’s investments in flood protection, including state payments to federal agencies for federal work; and
• A fundamentally new design of the Central Valley flood and water system, which is managed by both state and federal agencies.

During her trip, Wolk also testified before the House Subcommittee on Water and Power to urge resolution of a long-standing dispute on water issues on the San Joaquin River.  Representative Grace Napolitano (D-CA), who chairs the subcommittee, said Wolk’s visit helped strengthen the relationship between the Legislature and the Congress on water and flood issues, and looks forward to working with Wolk in the future.

“I am eager to see continued collaboration as we address crucial water issues relating to the California Bay-Delta, the promotion of conservation, recycling, desalination, and cleanup of groundwater aquifers to increase California’s water supply, flood control and other issues,” Napolitano said.