LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A new piece of federal legislation could bring millions of dollars to Lake County for water projects.

On Monday night, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) voted to pass H.R. 8812, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation that will authorize the Army Corp of Engineers to make crucial investments in America's ports, inland waterways, flood management systems, ecosystems and other water resources infrastructure.

The bill passed the House on a vote of 359 to 13.

“Every community in our district deserves to have clean water and modernized water infrastructure. I’m proud to have secured three infrastructure requests to support municipal drinking water and wastewater projects and one study request to support flood risk management in our community,” said Thompson.

Rep. Thompson secured authorization in the legislation for several Fourth District projects.

The legislation would provide up to $20,000,000 to Lake County to address stormwater flows and habitat restoration in and around Clear Lake.

The project would develop infrastructure that protects communities near the lake from storm flows and ensures water is entering the lake. Additionally, it would address habitat restoration efforts of species in Clear Lake and support river and stream restoration.

The bill’s language does not specifically name the project in question — and Thompson’s office did not respond by the time of publication — but its reference to flood risk management and ecosystem restoration on Clear Lake suggests it is the Middle Creek Restoration Project, which would restore an estimated 1,600 acres of farmland to the lake and remove failing levees on the Northshore. The project would remove sedimentation and phosphorus loading.

There also would be up to $20,000,000 to the Yolo County Flood Control District for water and wastewater infrastructure, including water supply and stormwater management. The project would ensure a more sustainable water supply for the County and protect communities from stormwater.

Once complete, the flood control district would be able to divert storm flow into existing pits during wet seasons, ensuring accessibility to county roads during storms. This funding would also assist the flood control district in redirecting water back into the system when water levels subside.

The legislation also authorized a study for the Army Corp to assess flood risk management and ecosystem restoration for Clear Lake.

In addition, there would be up to $10,000,000 to the city of Rohnert Park to remove arsenic from the city’s wells and improve efficiency. Rohnert Park has a significant well water capacity unique to the rest of the region and ensuring that the community’s wells are operating to their full potential would provide a substantial benefit for the entire region.

Thompson’s office said the legislation must pass the Senate before being signed into law.

Once signed into law, authorized projects will become eligible for federal funding, Thompson’s office said.