- Within the framework of a USD 585 million investment for 83 projects in 11 American states
USD 65.9 million has been awarded to modernize and repair the Trinity River Hatchery, in California, United States (US), announced Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02). This project is one of 83 projects in 11 states that was selected as part of a nearly USD 585 million investment from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve water conveyance and storage, increase safety, improve hydropower generation, and provide water treatment.
“Fully operational fish hatcheries are a vital part of the local economy and ecosystems on the North Coast. The recovery of threatened Coho and Chinook salmon depends on the work the Trinity River Hatchery is doing, and it’s important the facility can run at top notch,” said Huffman.
The Trinity River Hatchery project will install a Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system; replace corroded and leaking piping; install new filtration system and incubator jars; abate hazardous noise from hatchery operations; and replace deteriorated iron supports for 150 shallow troughs and 26 deep tanks.
“After 60 years of use, most of the systems in this building have outlived their usefulness and are in disrepair. I know just how important this hatchery is to Trinity, and I’m incredibly glad I could help get the hatchery this funding to make long-overdue upgrades so it can keep supporting our region,” added Huffman.
Largest investments in climate resilience in the nation’s history
President Biden’s ‘Investing in America’ agenda is delivering historic resources to communities to help advance drought resilience and strengthen local economies.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes USD 8.3 billion over five years for Reclamation water infrastructure projects to advance drought resilience and expand access to clean water for families, farmers and wildlife.
Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Charlton H. Bonham, said “modernization of Trinity River Hatchery is a huge boon for the steelhead, coho and Chinook raised there and will dramatically improve our operations at the facility. We deeply appreciate the investment from President Biden as well as Congressman Huffman for championing this effort.”
The investment will repair aging water delivery systems, secure dams, complete rural water projects, and protect aquatic ecosystems. The Inflation Reduction Act is investing another USD 4.6 billion to address the worsening crisis.
Combined, these two initiatives represent the largest investments in climate resilience in the nation’s history and provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the work of the Interior Department.
This announcement builds on USD 240 million allocated through the Law in fiscal year 2022. The next application period for extraordinary maintenance funds is expected in October 2023.
Rigorous process and is a testament
“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making an historic investment to provide clean, reliable water to families, farmers and Tribes,” said for his part Deputy Secretary of the Interior, Tommy Beaudreau. “As we work to address record drought and changing climate conditions throughout the West, these investments in our aging water infrastructure will conserve community water supplies and revitalize water delivery systems.”
“President Biden is investing in America, and this announcement delivering much needed repairs to aging dams and other water infrastructure is part of our whole-of-government approach to making communities more resilient to drought,” said meanwhile Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator, Mitch Landrieu.
“These projects have been identified through a rigorous process and is a testament to the Bureau of Reclamation’s commitment to deliver water to future generations,” said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. “As we manage through changing climate, we must look to the safety of our projects to ensure that we can continue to provide clean, reliable water to communities, irrigators, and ecosystems across the west.”
Detailed information on Reclamation programs and funding provided in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is available on Reclamation’s website.
