Interior gives $50 million for Calif. drought

The Interior Department said it will give $50 million to help California deal with its drought through water efficiency, conservation and wildlife protection measures.

The largest portion of the money, nearly $20 million, will go to Bureau of Reclamation efforts in California’s Central Valley for increasing flexibility in water operations, improving water banking and increasing efficiency, officials said Friday.

{mosads}The remainder will go to competitive efficiency grants, partnerships with local governments and water storage in the Colorado River system.

“Today’s funding will help boost immediate and long-term efforts to improve water efficiencies and increase resilience in high-risk communities, including in California’s Central Valley,” Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said in a statement.

“With climate change, droughts are projected to become more intense and frequent in many parts of the West, so we need to pursue every measure to provide relief and support to communities who are feeling the impacts,” she said.

California has seen some of the worst drought conditions in history in recent months. The drought, which has been exacerbated by climate change, encompassed the entire state, and it’s likely to continue this year.

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) joined Jewell in announcing the funds today. He welcomed the help.

“This important investment will help us improve how we save and move water, while continuing to protect sensitive habitat and wildlife,” Brown said in a statement. “Even with recent storms, we have a long, dry trek ahead and a close partnership with the federal government is crucial.”