Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This legislation amends the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to establish a mechanism for water transfers between federal water projects. It specifically grants the Secretary of the Interior the authority to make water from the Orland Project available to the Sacramento Canal Unit of the Central Valley Project . These transfers can be initiated upon the request of the Orland Unit Water Users Association and are permissible at any time, without regard to the water year type, provided the Secretary determines consistency with the Central Valley Project's objectives. Crucially, the bill includes rules of construction clarifying that these provisions do not create new benefits under the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982, nor do they affect existing valid water rights, pending water right applications, or cause redirected impacts to the Orland Project from temporary water supply contracts.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Water Resources Development
CaliforniaWater resources fundingWater use and supply
Orland Project Water Management Act
USA119th CongressHR-4970| House
| Updated: 9/3/2025
This legislation amends the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to establish a mechanism for water transfers between federal water projects. It specifically grants the Secretary of the Interior the authority to make water from the Orland Project available to the Sacramento Canal Unit of the Central Valley Project . These transfers can be initiated upon the request of the Orland Unit Water Users Association and are permissible at any time, without regard to the water year type, provided the Secretary determines consistency with the Central Valley Project's objectives. Crucially, the bill includes rules of construction clarifying that these provisions do not create new benefits under the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982, nor do they affect existing valid water rights, pending water right applications, or cause redirected impacts to the Orland Project from temporary water supply contracts.