Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) has introduced the Orland Project Water Management Act (H.R. 4970), a bill aimed at allowing water from the Bureau of Reclamation’s Orland Project in Glenn County to be transferred to the Central Valley Project (CVP) whenever it is available, not just during drought emergencies.
“For years, surface water that could have helped irrigate nearby farms and reduce pressure on groundwater use has gone unused because of outdated federal restrictions,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “This is water already stored behind a federal dam system, and it should be put to good use. This bill ensures we’re not wasting water in years when it’s available. It’s a sensible fix that supports agriculture and gives water managers another tool to meet local needs.”
The proposed legislation seeks to address current federal law, which only permits transfers from the Orland Project to CVP contractors like the Tehama Colusa Canal Authority (TCCA) when California’s governor requests temporary drought assistance. As a result, surplus water often remains unused even when available.
Zach Dennis, Chairman of the TCCA Board of Directors, expressed support for the measure: “We greatly appreciate Congressman LaMalfa’s leadership in introducing the Orland Project Water Management Act to allow water transfers from the Orland Project to the Central Valley Project. This common-sense fix will provide greater flexibility in managing limited water supplies and help ensure reliability for farms and communities that depend on the CVP. This is the first step towards maximizing water supplies from the Orland Project and the TCCA looks forward to working with the Congressman and the Orland Project to unlock even more flexibility.”
Greg Krzys, General Manager of the Orland Unit Water Users’ Association, also endorsed the bill: “The Orland Unit Water Users’ Association strongly supports Congressman LaMalfa’s legislation to modernize outdated federal restrictions on water transfers. For too many years, we’ve watched surplus water from our project go unused while neighboring agricultural communities face water shortages. This bill represents a win-win solution that maximizes the beneficial use of our water resources while maintaining the operational integrity of the Orland Project. We appreciate the Congressman’s leadership in addressing this longstanding inefficiency and look forward to working collaboratively with the TCCA and other stakeholders to maximize the water supply benefits of the Orland Project.”
If enacted, LaMalfa’s bill would allow transfers at any time from Orland Project storage facilities to benefit agriculture across areas served by both projects and potentially lessen dependence on groundwater sources.
Doug LaMalfa has represented California’s 1st Congressional District since 2013 after succeeding Mike Thompson in Congress. He previously held seats in both chambers of California’s legislature before joining Congress after service in state government. Born in Oroville in 1960, he continues living there today according to his official biography. LaMalfa holds a Bachelor of Science degree from California Polytechnic State University earned in 1982.
