The money will be used to build a new pumping plant, and an underground pipeline connecting the two major state and federal canal systems in the Central Valley.
The connectors will allow water to be shared more efficiently between the two systems.
The department also gave $6 million, to add $1,800 acres to the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve near Antioch -- it's an important habitat to more than two dozen protected species.
Interior Department gives $20M for CA water issues
SACRAMENTO, CA