Lawmakers Look To Address Urban Canals In Need

Northwest lawmakers say there are several urban canals across the west that need to be repaired.  On Tuesday, Washington’s Dan Newhouse, Idaho’s Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, along with California’s Adam Gray introduced the Urban Canal Modernization Act.

The four say the aim of the legislation is to allow the Bureau of Reclamation to authorize a 35% non-reimbursable cost share to help repair and rehabilitate urban canals through areas that would cause significant property damage or possible loss of life if the canal were to fail.  The proposal defines significant property damage as greater than $5 million.

Many western canals, including Boise’s New York Canal, are considered urban canals of concern and need repairs. 

Lawmakers Say Several Canals Need Work

"Urban canal maintenance is an issue across the country, but especially in Grant County, Washington," Newhouse said. "The Bureau of Reclamation’s canals are in dire need of repairs, and the surrounding communities who rely on them would be at risk if they were to fail.  This legislation gives local authorities additional resources to manage these critical pieces of infrastructure while protecting the people and property around canals of concern.  I strongly support this bill and thank Rep. Simpson for again leading this important effort."

"We must address urban canal repairs to protect Idahoans and Westerners’ way of life," Simpson said.  "The substantial urban growth around irrigation canals has created challenges and poses a threat to communities nearby. It’s well past time we act on these concerns.  The Urban Canal Modernization Act does just that by maintaining safety, expanding accessibility, and providing additional tools to ensure these crucial repairs get completed."

"Urban canals are vital to agricultural, irrigation, and the water needs of our communities," Fulcher said.  "Yet much of this critical infrastructure—some of it more than a century old—is in urgent need of repair. The Urban Canals Modernization Act is a common-sense solution to help address these challenges and ensure our canals in Idaho and across the country get the updates they need. I am proud to be a primary co-sponsor."

"While California’s population has more than doubled since the mid-20th century, our water capacity hasn’t expanded to meet the needs of our communities," Gray said.  "The federal government must invest in our existing water systems to reduce costs on water users and our farmers.  The bipartisan Urban Canal Modernization Act would rebuild crumbling, outdated water infrastructure in the Valley to bring us into the 21st century."

Click Here to read the bill.
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