Congressman Kevin Kiley (I-CA) secured more than $4.5 million for key projects across California’s Third District, money included in the agriculture appropriations funding bill that passed through the House Appropriations Committee last week.
“These investments reflect our commitment to improving and strengthening our rural communities across the Third District,” said Congressman Kiley. “Each of these projects, including improving aging infrastructure, providing fire protection and forest management, represent a meaningful use of taxpayer dollars.”
Below is a list of projects the money will be used for:
El Dorado Water Agency – Forest Management/Resiliency in Upper American Cosumnes Watershed
- Recipient: El Dorado Water Agency
- Amount: $1,000,000
- Purpose: To carry out forest management and watershed resilience efforts, including fuel reduction treatments, post-wildfire recovery actions, and meadow restoration in high-risk areas of El Dorado County. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because targeted investments in forest management and wildfire prevention reduce the likelihood and severity of catastrophic wildfires, helping avoid the significantly higher federal costs associated with emergency response, recovery, and long-term economic damage.
- “The resiliency of the Upper American and Cosumnes River watersheds – over half of which are on federal lands – is critical for communities in our region and throughout the state that depend on them for water, power, recreation, and so much more,” said Rebecca Guo, General Manager of the El Dorado Water Agency. “We are grateful to Congressman Kiley for recognizing that active forest management is essential to restore forest health, reduce wildfire risks, protect water supplies, and build resilient, fire-adapted landscapes.”
Loomis Union School District Rural School Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Modernization
- Recipient: Loomis Union School District
- Amount: $800,000
- Purpose: To replace aging wastewater and domestic water infrastructure at Franklin and Placer Elementary Schools in Loomis, California. The project would be an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because both wastewater systems were originally installed in the 1960s and have exceeded their useful life.
- “Families and staff trust that our schools provide safe, healthy, and reliable learning environments. The recent septic system failure at Franklin Elementary School highlighted that our water and wastewater systems, now more than sixty years old, are in urgent need of modernization,” said Erika Sloane, Superintendent, Loomis Union School District.
“When essential infrastructure is at risk, it affects daily operations, public health, and the confidence our families and staff place in our schools. Our campuses also serve a broader rural community beyond the school day, making dependable infrastructure even more critical. We are grateful for Congressman Kevin Kiley’s leadership in advancing the Rural School Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Modernization Initiative through the federal appropriations process. This investment would strengthen critical infrastructure at Franklin and Placer Elementary Schools, support rural communities, and deliver long-term, cost-effective, and resilient systems that will serve students, staff, and families for decades to come. The project is already in advanced design and can move to construction within months of receiving funding, ensuring timely and responsible use of federal resources.”
Inclement Weather Rescue Program
- Recipient: Nevada County Consolidated Fire District
- Amount: $558,161
- Purpose: To procure specialized winter emergency response equipment, including a snowcat, tow vehicle, tracked UTV, snowmobiles, rescue trailers, and personal protective equipment. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it reduces risk to life during winter emergencies, improves response times and emergency medical access, and enhances responder safety during severe weather events.
- “I would like to thank Congressman Kevin Kiley for his continued support of our mission and for consistently advocating for public safety. This funding represents a critical investment in our ability to respond effectively during severe weather events,” said Jason Robitaille, Fire Chief, Nevada County Consolidated Fire District. “The Inclement Weather Rescue Program will enhance our ability to access remote and impacted areas, improve response times, and ultimately provide a higher level of service and safety to the communities we serve. We are grateful for the ongoing support and recognition of the unique challenges faced in our region.”
Sunny Slopes Fire Station
- Recipient: Mono County, California
- Amount: $1,198,388
- Purpose: To provide fire protection and emergency response services. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will provide critical emergency response services to approximately 7,000 residents in an area that currently lacks nearby coverage. It will also protect critical water infrastructure operated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, including the Crowley Lake reservoir and Long Valley Dam.
- “Mono County thanks Congressman Kiley for his steadfast support of this critical project. The Sunny Slopes Fire Station will provide emergency response services to residents throughout the Sunny Slopes, Tom’s Place, and Crowley Lake communities where no fire station currently exists,” said Jennifer Kreitz, Chair of the Mono County Board of Supervisors. “It will also protect the Crowley Lake Reservoir, Long Valley Dam, and the statewide water resources they support. The Mono County Board of Supervisors is proud to see this project included in the U.S. Department of Agriculture spending bill and deeply grateful for Congressman Kiley’s leadership in making it happen. We urge our Senators and the U.S. Senate to pass a spending bill that includes this project.”
Long Canyon Watershed Protection Project
- Recipient: Placer County Water Agency
- Amount: $1,000,000
- Purpose: To carry out forest health and fuels reduction treatments, including thinning, reforestation, and prescribed fire, to improve watershed conditions and reduce wildfire risk. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will improve soil health, reduce erosion, enhance water quality and supply reliability, and protect critical infrastructure and natural resources. Targeted investments in forest management and wildfire prevention reduce the likelihood and severity of catastrophic wildfires, helping avoid significantly higher federal costs associated with emergency response, disaster recovery, and long-term economic damage.
- “Healthy forests in the Northern Sierra provide a healthy water supply for the greater Sacramento region and beyond,” said PCWA Director Robert Dugan. “Congressman Kiley understands this critical connection and has been steadfast in his support to advance projects that reduce wildfire risk, protect water supply, and improve habitat conditions.
“PCWA is embarking on its second landscape-scale project to treat tens of thousands of federal forested acres in the American River watershed with the help of Kiley’s sponsored federal appropriations moving through Congress. PCWA is grateful for Congressman Kiley’s relentless dedication to the health of the American River Watershed.”
