Tuesday August 13, 2024
SJV Water via Maven’s Notebook —
Even as work on the first phase of fixing the sinking Friant-Kern Canal is nearly done, officials are worried they won’t be able to pay the bill and have come up with a plan that puts pressure on four agricultural water districts to pony up.
The Friant Water Authority owes the federal Bureau of Reclamation potentially $90 million, plus interest, for its share of the massive project. It is also looking at a possible $5.1 million construction payment in summer 2026 that it may not have funds for.
That bill isn’t due yet. But the Bureau has asked the authority to explain how it will get the money to pay its share of the first phase of construction, which totaled $326 million. And wants to make sure a funding path is lined up for the second phase of construction, anticipated to cost about $247.2 million.