Congress Reaches Deal to Approve $53 Million in Central Coast Water Projects, Deal Passes House

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced a bipartisan deal reached between the House and the Senate on legislation containing more than $53 million in Central Coast water projects championed by Rep. Carbajal.

The deal advancing in Congress this week authorizes funding for water projects in Ventura, Los Osos, Los Olivos, Montecito, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

"Water infrastructure is critical to the continued functioning of our communities on the Central Coast. As a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee I have worked this year to see critical projects in our communities approved by Congress to ensure we invest in clean, accessible water access for all of our residents," said Rep. Carbajal, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Central Coast projects authorized by the 2024 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) are:

· $18.25 million for the City of Ventura's Seaside Transfer Station

· $18.25 million for improvements at Montecito Sanitary District's Water Treatment Plant

· $8 million for the Los Osos Water Pipeline Project

· $5 million for the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Canyon State Water Pipeline project

· $4 million for wastewater processing upgrades at the Los Olivos Community Service District

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is biennial legislation crafted by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Civil Works Program to carry out projects to improve the nation's ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure.

The bill supports locally-driven projects that also deliver regional and national benefits to strengthen U.S. global competitiveness and supply chain, grow the economy, move goods throughout the country, protect communities from flooding, and more.

The final version of WRDA follows negotiations over recent months to reconcile House- and Senate-passed versions of the legislation.

Congressman Carbajal has helped see a WRDA approved by Congress in each of his four terms.