REP. MIKE THOMPSON PROVISION IMPROVING THE RUSSIAN RIVER WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM PASSES HOUSE
October 24, 2013
Legislation Helps Speed up Russian River Habitat Restoration, Prevents the Construction of an Unnecessary $300 Million Pipeline
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) today secured the passage of a provision in H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA), that allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue working with the Sonoma County Water Agency to enhance six miles of endangered coho salmon habitat along Dry Creek, located between Warm Springs Dam and the Russian River near Healdsburg. This restoration work is required under the Russian River Biological Opinion issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service in 2008 to protect coho salmon, Chinook salmon and steelhead trout; all listed as endangered or threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act.
“With the passage of this provision, we are helping restore habitat for endangered species and protecting our local tax dollars,” said Thompson. “By making sure the Army Corps can continue working with the Sonoma County Water Agency, we can speed up the habitat restoration work along the Russian River, protect endangered coho salmon, Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, and make sure Sonoma County isn't left on the hook for building an unnecessary $300 million pipeline.”
Without this provision, it is unclear if the Army Corps would carry out their responsibilities as required by the Russian River Biological Opinion, leaving the Sonoma County Water Agency solely responsible for fulfilling this work by 2016. The amount of work required under the biological opinion can only be achieved with the cooperation of the Army Corps. If the requirements made under the biological opinion are not met, Sonoma County would be required to build a $300 million pipeline to mitigate habit impacts.
WRRDA was passed by the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 417-3. The Senate passed a different WRDA bill, S. 601 on May 15th by a bipartisan vote of 83-14. The bills are now expected to go to a conference committee to resolve their differences.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
“With the passage of this provision, we are helping restore habitat for endangered species and protecting our local tax dollars,” said Thompson. “By making sure the Army Corps can continue working with the Sonoma County Water Agency, we can speed up the habitat restoration work along the Russian River, protect endangered coho salmon, Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, and make sure Sonoma County isn't left on the hook for building an unnecessary $300 million pipeline.”
Without this provision, it is unclear if the Army Corps would carry out their responsibilities as required by the Russian River Biological Opinion, leaving the Sonoma County Water Agency solely responsible for fulfilling this work by 2016. The amount of work required under the biological opinion can only be achieved with the cooperation of the Army Corps. If the requirements made under the biological opinion are not met, Sonoma County would be required to build a $300 million pipeline to mitigate habit impacts.
WRRDA was passed by the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 417-3. The Senate passed a different WRDA bill, S. 601 on May 15th by a bipartisan vote of 83-14. The bills are now expected to go to a conference committee to resolve their differences.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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Issues:Energy & Environment