San Bernardino County has been awarded $99 million to partially fund four significant flood control projects in a new federal water bill. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) reauthorizes funding for the Army Corps of Engineers and supports major water infrastructure projects. The bill, H.R. 8812, passed the House of Representatives yesterday on a bipartisan vote. In addition to the funding, the legislation directs the Army Corps to conduct extensive feasibility studies on three County projects.
“Flood control infrastructure is vital to protecting the lives and property of our residents,” said Dawn Rowe, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and Third District Supervisor. “We greatly appreciate our federal lawmakers for supporting the County and helping us to complete these important projects. These federal dollars are a worthy investment in the region for decades to come.”
Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-Pomona) obtained $24 million to help complete the Magnolia Storm Drain Project, which will install 6,500 feet of drainpipe along streets in Chino and Ontario to alleviate local flooding.
Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-Big Bear City) supported a $35 million water system rehabilitation project in Cedar Glen. This major overhaul will improve reliability and water quality by replacing the existing pipes and an aging reservoir while repairing a water conveyance tunnel. The Congressman also backed an Army Corps feasibility study for the Bandicoot Flood Control Basin that will help protect the City of Hesperia from flooding.
Congressman Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands) supported the County on several projects, directing $20 million to complete a comprehensive storm drain project in the unincorporated community of Bloomington. The Congressman also championed two feasibility studies in the bill – one for the Rialto Channel and another for the Del Rosa Channel in City of San Bernardino.
The WRDA bill passed the House on a vote of 359-13 on Monday, July 22. It is now in the Senate, which has not yet passed a version of the WRDA bill. Lawmakers are hopeful a final WRDA bill will pass Congress by the end of the year.