Orland Project Water Management Act

House Votes

This bill lets the federal government move water from the Orland Project to the Sacramento Canal Unit of the Central Valley Project when asked by the local water users group, as long as it fits the Central Valley Project’s goals. It can happen any time of year, even in dry or wet years, giving more flexibility to share water where it’s needed most.

It also adds guardrails. It does not create new special benefits under other reclamation laws. It does not change anyone’s existing water rights or any water right applications already in progress. And it says these temporary water supply deals should not cause new harms to the Orland Project itself.

Key points

• Who is affected: Farmers, communities, and water districts served by the Orland Project and the Sacramento Canal Unit in California; federal water managers.
• What changes: Allows year‑round water transfers from Orland to the Central Valley Project when requested and approved; protects existing water rights; no new special benefits; no redirected harms to Orland from temporary contracts.
• When: Once enacted, transfers can occur “at any time,” without regard to the type of water year.