Congresswoman Matsui Announces Federal Funding for Sacramento Watershed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, July 31, 2009

CONTACT: Mara Lee

202-225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Announces Federal Funding for Sacramento Watershed
Announces Release of $18 Million to California Applicants, Including Sutter and Yolo Counties

"The Sacramento River Watershed is an incredibly valuable resource to all of us, especially those of us in California's Central Valley," said Matsui. "The Sacramento River is the life blood to California for agricultural, environmental and urban uses. We must keep it healthy, and the AWEP funding awarded to California, particularly for Sutter and Yolo Counties, will go a long way in doing that."

In the 2008 Food Conservation and Energy Act, known as the Farm Bill, Congress created AWEP as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to promote ground and surface water conservation and improve water quality on agricultural lands. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been directed to balance its resources among the needs of producers in performing water quantity and quality activities. Congresswoman Matsui was instrumental in securing a priority designation for the Sacramento River Watershed which will help the region secure additional funding.

"Looking at a broad watershed is a natural approach to addressing issues that face a region," Rep. Matsui said. "What happens in a watershed affects everyone in the watershed - problems and solutions do not stop at a river's edge or property line. California is thirsty for federal funding and for long-term water use planning. In the long run it makes more sense to plan around a watershed than on a project by project basis - we will all benefit from a healthy watershed."

# # #