Important California Water Provisions in Omnibus Appropriations Bill

The giant omnibus appropriations bill funding the federal government for Fiscal Year 2012 contains a total of $915 billion in discretionary funding for federal agencies. The omnibus bill combines nine Appropriations bills, including: Defense, Energy and Water, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Interior/Environment, Labor/Health and Human Services/Education, the Legislative Branch, Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, and State/Foreign Operations.

Several important California water provisions are included in the Energy and Water portion of the bill.  The bill provides $39 million for CALFED and there is language stating that the Bay Delta Conservation Plan should meet the co-equal goals and be completed by February 2013.  There is also language facilitating water transfers along the Central Valley Project and a prohibition on Army Corps funding for new Principles and Guidelines for water projects.

The specific language regarding these provisions can be found below.