Yesterday, California passed a funding package that authorizes more than $15 billion to tackle wildfire and drought challenges, build climate resilience in communities, promote sustainable agriculture and advance nation-leading climate agenda.
The funding package signed yesterday by Governor Gavin Newsom includes 24 bills covering a wide range of areas of interest including water quality and drought resilience. Of the $15 billion authorized, $5.2 billion will support water and drought resilience, $3.7 billion will support climate resilience and $1.1 billion will support climate smart agriculture.
Water and Drought Resilience Package
Climate change is making droughts more common and more severe. The California Comeback Plan invests $5.2 billion over three years to support immediate drought response and long-term water resilience, including funding for emergency drought relief projects to secure and expand water supplies; support for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, with a focus on small and disadvantaged communities; Sustainable Groundwater Management Act implementation to improve water supply security and quality; and projects to support wildlife and habitat restoration efforts, among other nature-based solutions.
Climate Resilience Package
Focusing on vulnerable front-line communities, the package includes $3.7 billion over three years to build resilience against the state’s multi-faceted climate risks, including extreme heat and sea level rise. Investments to address the impacts of extreme heat include urban greening projects, grants to support community resilience centers and projects that reduce the urban heat island effect, and funding to advance the Extreme Heat Framework as part of the state’s Climate Adaptation Strategy. The package also supports coastal protection and adaptation measures, efforts to protect and conserve California’s diverse ecosystems, and community-based investments to build resilience, such as grants to support environmental justice-focused initiatives and funding for the California Climate Action Corps, which supports local climate action projects in disadvantaged communities.
Climate Smart Agriculture Package
Amid climate-driven drought and extreme heat challenges, California is committing $1.1 billion over two years to support sustainable agriculture practices and create a resilient and equitable food system. These efforts include investments to promote healthy soil management, support for livestock methane reduction efforts, funding for the replacement of agricultural equipment to reduce emissions and technical assistance and incentives for the development of farm conservation management plans. The package also supports programs to expand healthy food access for seniors and in schools, other public institutions and non-profit organizations.
The package includes the following funding allocations specifically related to water and wastewater issues included in SB 170 by Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley):
- $650 million for drinking water projects
- $650 million for wastewater projects
- $200 million for small community drought relief
- $200 million for multibenefit projects
- $200 million for groundwater cleanup and water recycling projects
- $30 million for PFAS remediation
- $197 million for the Urban Flood Risk Reduction Program
- $180 million for Sustainable Groundwater Management Act implementation
- $165 million to the California Natural Resources Agency for water resilience projects that improve environmental conditions to promote recovery of native fish species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin watershed
- $100 million for urban community drought relief
- $100 million for water conveyance projects
- $101 million to the Department of Water Resources for immediate drought support
- $25 million for watershed climate studies
- $20 million for an Aqueduct Solar Panel Pilot Study
- $50 million to the Department of Conservation to implement the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program for groundwater sustainability projects that reduce groundwater use, repurpose irrigated agricultural land, and provide wildlife habitat
- $40 million for the Salton Sea
SOURCES: Office of CA Governor Gavin Newsom
Association of California Water Agencies, via GlobeNewswire
