Today, Western Caucus members Rep. Mike Simpson (ID-02) and Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01), along with Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), introduced the Urban Canal Modernization Act. This legislation allows the Bureau of Reclamation to authorize a 35 percent non-reimbursable cost share to help repair and rehabilitate “urban canals of concern,” canals through urban areas that would cause significant property damage or possible loss of life if the canal were to fail. Many western canals, including the New York Canal in Boise, Idaho, are considered urban canals of concern and need repairs.
“As a proud primary co-sponsor of the Urban Canals Modernization Act, I recognize the need to address the increasingly difficult task of maintaining and modernizing our urban canal systems,” said Chairman Newhouse. “As these structures continue to age, it is crucial to supply local managers with the resources needed to protect both property, and people, from a potential disaster. I know how vital access to these waterways is to Central Washington, and confidence that those systems remain healthy and reliable is crucial to those that depend on it every day.”
“We must address urban canal repairs to protect Idahoans and westerners’ way of life,” said Rep. Simpson. “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. This legislation does just that by maintaining safety, expanding accessibility, and providing additional tools to ensure these crucial repairs get completed.”
“The New York Canal in the Treasure Valley was constructed over one hundred years ago," said Rep. Fulcher. “Today, as one of the nation’s fastest-growing communities, the canal crosses through one of Idaho’s most populated areas. The Urban Canal Modernization Act allows for repairs to update the infrastructure in Idaho’s First District and the country.”
“The Idaho Water Resource Board applauds the introduction of the Urban Canal Modernization Act by Representative Mike Simpson to help provide more affordable funding for projects like the New York Canal in Idaho’s Treasure Valley. These repair projects in urbanized areas are much more expensive than repairing a canal in a rural setting, creating an unaffordable scenario for farmers responsible for maintaining canals through areas that have urbanized through no fault of themselves. If enacted, the Urban Canal Modernization Act would aid with accelerating necessary repairs in urban areas in advance of potentially dangerous failures,” said the Idaho Water Resource Board.
"Extensive urban growth around irrigation canals has created new challenges for water managers throughout the west. Whereas these canals historically crossed through farm fields and other open areas, they are now surrounded by housing developments, parks, schools, shopping centers, and other development. The increase in development has resulted in many such canals being designated as "urban canals of concern." Importantly, the challenges, and associated significant increase in costs for maintenance, were not anticipated when the canals were constructed. Thank you to Congressman Simpson for working with water users to provide opportunities for resources to help offset these significant costs,” said Paul Arrington, Executive Director & General Council, Idaho Water Users Association.
"For over a century, the Boise Project Board of Control has operated the New York Canal, which is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation. This canal is the primary artery for irrigation water delivery to over 160,000 acres in Idaho's Treasure Valley. When the canal was constructed, it was out in the desert. Today the area around the canal has experienced significant, extensive population growth and development. In recent years, the Treasure Valley has a been among the nation's fastest growing communities. Recognizing the challenges of this growth and encroachment on the canal, Reclamation has designated the New York Canal as an "urban canal of concern." The cost of operating, maintaining, and upgrading our canal in this urban setting is significantly higher - more than double in many instances. Additional safety measures have become necessary because of this encroachment. This legislation will provide additional tools to the Boise Project as it works to provide safe, efficient delivery of water long into the future. Thank you to Congressman Simpson for helping develop this solution that will benefit water users throughout Idaho and the west,” said Bob Carter, Manager, Boise Project Board of Control.
"The Urban Canal Modernization Act would offer additional tools to address the growing expense of maintaining urban canals. Specifically, this added flexibility would enable the Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District to effectively address our Reclamation identified extraordinary maintenance issue and further leverage reimbursable funding opportunities with other federal grants to modernize and improve water conservation for our aging water infrastructure. We appreciate the leadership taken in creating solutions to address our nation’s water infrastructure needs and challenges with the introduction of this House companion bill," said the Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District.
The full text of the bill is available here.
