House OKs Funding for Water Projects

Millions of dollars in federal aid for water projects and public safety initiatives may be heading for Ventura County, Congressman Elton Gallegly said Wednesday.

The House of Representatives has approved more than $15 million in local water projects, including $5.5 million for the Casitas Dam Safety Project and $1.2 million to repair a breakwater at the entrance to Ventura Harbor.

Still needed are Senate approval of the funds and President Clinton’s signing of the bill.

“This is nothing short of overwhelming this year,” said Gallegly (R-Simi Valley). “It’s a significant amount, and a lot of critical projects will be affected.”

The funding for Casitas Dam will allow the Bureau of Reclamation to finish a $40-million effort to brace the structure in case of an earthquake.

The House also approved a request for $1 million from the U.S. Department of Justice for Ventura County’s integrated justice information system that will allow county and non-county law enforcement agencies to easily share information.

The funds also include $5 million to expand a program statewide that identifies criminal illegal immigrants in local jails.

Other appropriations cleared by the House include:

* $2.7 million for widening and deepening of the approach channel at the Port of Hueneme.

* $3 million for maintenance and dredging at Channel Islands Harbor.

* $400,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a sand bypass study at Ventura Harbor.

* $500,000 for the Calleguas Municipal Water District’s waste-water recycling project.

* $250,000 for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study to identify ways to restore the Mugu Lagoon environment.