Rep. Jim Costa has introduced a water savings bill that might appeal to communities, farmers, fishermen, and environmentalists. The Canal Conveyance Capacity Restoration Act introduced last week by the Fresno Democrat calls for $653 million to restore the capacity of three San Joaquin Valley canals while also investing $180 million to continue restoring salmon runs on the San Joaquin River. … The bill authorizes a one-third federal cost share for restoring canal capacity. Specifically, it provides $180 million to restore the Friant-Kern Canal, $183.9 million for the Delta Mendota Canal, and $289.5 million for the California Aqueduct. The funding may not be used to build new surface storage or raise existing reservoirs. It may also not be used to enlarge the capacity of any canal, except for a temporary increase to mitigate anticipated future subsidence.

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