WASHINGTON, DC-
Today, the House Natural Resources Committee held a public hearing on legislation offered by Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) to reauthorize legislation that helps expedite water transfers, move non-project water on federal facilities, and construct temporary structures and wells in communities plagued by extreme drought. H.R. 3176 reauthorizes the 1991 Reclamation States Emergency Act for an additional five years until 2018. This Act also authorizes Reclamation to assist in drought contingency planning with all 50 states, tribes, and territories.
Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-Calif.), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, Rush D. Holt (D-N.J), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, Rep. Gregorio Sablan (D-C.N.M.I.), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs, Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-H.I.), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs are original cosponsors.
The federally-funded U.S. Drought Monitor reported today that nearly 50 percent of the United States is in drought.
“At the time the Act was originally authorized in 1992, California was experiencing its sixth consecutive year of drought. Unfortunately, we are facing the same dry conditions as before, except that recent droughts are more prolonged and the demands on the resource have only increased. In Oregon, nearly $10 million dollars was used for emergency activities in the Klamath Region in 2010. Predictions for next year’s water year in Klamath Basin and across the west are bleak, yet the authorization for this program has already expired. H.R. 3176 simply provides Reclamation with one more tool to help our communities during times of crisis," DeFazio said at today’s hearing.
“I am proud to support this legislation, which would provide the Bureau of Reclamation with the authority and flexibility to supply water to entities and tribes who need it during times of drought," said Rep. Grace Napolitano. “Drought costs the U.S. economy between $6 billion and $8 billion annually, with 2012 drought costs possibly exceeding $35 billion dollars. This year, almost 50% of our country is in moderate to severe drought. Next year is expected to be a very dry water year in California, and this legislation will help our communities with their water challenges."
BACKGROUND
Under the expired Drought Relief Act of 1991, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is allowed to minimize or mitigate drought damages or losses within the 17 Reclamation States including Tribes and Hawaii. It is estimated that the drought costs the U.S. economy between $6 billion and $8 billion per year, with the cost of the 2012 drought possibly exceeding $35 billion dollars.
The Natural Resources Committee has jurisdiction over the Bureau of Reclamation, the largest wholesale water supplier in the nation, delivering water to more than 31 million people, and provide one out of five Western farmers in the west. Reclamation is also the second largest producer of hydropower generating enough electricity to serve 3.5 million homes.
