Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee Peter DeFazio (D-OR) sent a second letter to Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) requesting an emergency hearing on the extreme drought and potential for catastrophic wildfires. DeFazio first requested a drought hearing in February 2014-Republicans did not respond to that request. The letter comes after the release of a General Accounting Office (GAO) report that state water managers expect freshwater shortages will continue over the next decade throughout the U.S. according to state water managers.
DeFazio’s letter states, “Over three months ago, Congressional Democrats sent a letter requesting an emergency hearing to discuss the devastating drought which plagued over half of the country. Unfortunately, we did not receive a response to this request. Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released their Freshwater Report, which outlines supply concerns and uncertainties that our water managers face across the country. In light of this report and recent disasters, I am once again requesting an emergency meeting on the extreme drought and potential for catastrophic wildfires."
The United States Department of Agriculture has declared 469 counties in 15 states disaster areas due to drought. Over 60% of the West is experiencing moderate to exceptional drought. For the first time in a century, California is experiencing severe drought in 100% of the state, with nearly 20% of the state in extreme drought.
The letter goes on to say, “The impacts of drought affect all parts of our jurisdiction. We can’t make it rain, but we can discuss ways to help communities, businesses and local governments prepare for a potential natural and economic disaster. I would hope the committee would want to be more proactive instead of legislating from one emergency to the next. Looking at the impacts on drought on our constituents as part of our oversight responsibilities is a good start."
The full text of the letter is available below and online here. The GAO report can be found here.
May 22, 2014
The Honorable Doc Hastings
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources
1324 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Hastings:
Over three months ago, Congressional Democrats sent a letter requesting an emergency hearing to discuss the devastating drought which plagued over half of the country. Unfortunately, we did not receive a response to this request. Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released their Freshwater Report, which outlines supply concerns and uncertainties that our water managers face across the country. In light of this report and recent disasters, I am once again requesting an emergency meeting on the extreme drought and potential for catastrophic wildfires.
The report only confirmed what our constituents know and are experiencing firsthand: freshwater availability is in short supply and will continue to be negatively impacted by population growth, demands from other sectors, and a lack of information on water availability and use. The report also found that all 50 state water managers surveyed expect shortages in their state under drought conditions within the next decade.
The energy sector will continue to have an increasingly prominent impact on water quantity and quality. According to the report, water managers ranked energy production as the second greatest concern, behind irrigation, in terms of activities affecting water availability for other uses.
State water managers have also cited infrastructure challenges more frequently than any other factor as a great or very great concern over the next 10 years. Climate change and extreme weather events, including droughts and floods, will make planning for future water infrastructure needs an even greater challenge.
The impacts of drought affect all parts of our jurisdiction. We can’t make it rain, but we can discuss ways to help communities, businesses and local governments prepare for a potential natural and economic disaster. I would hope the committee would want to be more proactive instead of legislating from one emergency to the next. Looking at the impacts on drought on our constituents as part of our oversight responsibilities is a good start. Thank you for considering my request for a hearing. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact my staff at 5-6065.
Sincerely,
Peter A. DeFazio
Ranking Member
Committee on Natural Resources
