Branded Blog

Addressing Water Conveyance Infrastructure to Protect Our Food Supply

By Rep. Vince Fong (CA-20)

California’s Central Valley is one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the world - a feat made possible by a complex network of surface water storage. Canals and aqueducts drive our agricultural economy and are a lifeline for farmers, delivering water to crops that feed millions across the nation. Yet, essential waterways across the Central Valley are facing severe subsidence and caving, impeding their ability to effectively transport water, and malforming water conveyance infrastructure. This is directly impacting our region’s agricultural output. In addition, burdensome regulations and government overreach exacerbate these problems, restricting water supply and complicating farmers’ efforts to grow the food that sustains our nation and much of the world.

To address these challenges effectively, we must prioritize preventative maintenance over reactive repairs. Let’s start to think about the long-term effects of our water storage projects as part of the construction process. Preventative measures can mitigate issues before they become severe - saving money ultimately, and ensuring our water supply remains reliable. Investing in a proactive approach is crucial to maintaining the integrity of our water systems and supporting agricultural productivity.  By addressing both infrastructure and regulatory challenges, we can safeguard our agricultural systems and secure our food supply. Devoting resources to our water conveyance infrastructure in the Central Valley is not just about maintaining physical assets - it's about ensuring a stable and efficient water supply that supports California’s agriculture and our nation’s broader food supply chain. Comprehensive water infrastructure legislation like the WATER for California Act will be crucial to building upon the legacy of the expired WIIN Act and ensuring long-term stability for Central Valley water. Such legislation should rationalize regulatory processes and provide transparency for these necessary infrastructure improvements. We must work together to tackle these issues and protect our farmers and food systems for the future.