$1B is Just the Start, Says Water Blueprint
California Citrus Mutual says the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley is sounding the alarm on the region’s water future. Last week, the Blueprint sent formal letters to both the San Joaquin Valley Congressional Delegation and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, urging significant federal investment in California’s water infrastructure.
The outreach follows passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which set aside $1 billion for certain water projects—a critical first step toward an estimated $12 billion need. The Blueprint thanked lawmakers for that “down payment” but stressed the need for more, especially for major conveyance repairs and expanded water storage.
Citing a UC Davis study, the group warns that without action, the state could lose up to 9 million acre-feet of water annually by 2050, along with $14.5 billion in economic damage and 3 million acres of farmland. The Blueprint says it’s committed to science-based solutions that benefit people, agriculture, and the environment.
