Contra Costa Canal Transfer Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6040) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land and facilities of the Central Valley Project, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

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Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6040 would transfer the Contra Costa Canal to the Contra Costa County Water District. Contra Costa seeks to enclose the earthen canal to increase water supply availability and improve public safety.

Officials in the region have documented 81 instances where individuals have drowned from falling into the canal, but, currently, Contra Costa faces financial and bureaucratic challenges to conducting this important upgrade because it doesn't have title to the canal.

This bill would allow local water users who best understand the unique challenges of the area to determine what is right for them. H.R. 6040 is not only advantageous to local beneficiaries, but it is also a relief to the American taxpayer.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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