WASHINGTON — On Monday, the United States Bureau of Reclamation sent Congress the final feasibility report to begin repairs on the Friant-Kern Canal.

Officials from the office local Congressman Kevin McCarthy applauded the report saying this marks a critically important step forward in restoring lost water capacity to the communities served by eight irrigation and water districts along the canal. The Friant-Kern Canal runs from Fresno County through Tulare County and into Kern County.

McCarthy said in a press release "I want to commend Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman for their work on finalizing this feasibility report, which now makes this project eligible to receive construction funds from Congress."

The Friant-Kern Canal repair project has been estimated to cost about $11 million.