The Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries convened today to discuss four legislative bills aimed at streamlining water and hydropower infrastructure. Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) provided a statement regarding the hearing:
"The four bills considered by the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries today are an important part of our commitment to improve water infrastructure and to enhance access to water resources across the 17 Reclamation states. These four bills will modify cost shares and clarify the authority and obligations of Interior and Reclamation for critical water projects in the West. I extend my appreciation to my colleagues on the Subcommittee for their efforts, and I look forward to these bills being brought before the full House for a vote."
H.R. 7872, known as the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act, was introduced by U.S. Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah). This bill aims to address an imbalance in the Lower Basin Fund that finances salinity control projects. The legislation involves collaboration among seven Colorado River Basin states, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
H.R. 7938, titled the Klamath Basin Water Agreement Support Act, was introduced by U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.). This bill seeks to protect farmers from negative impacts resulting from the removal of four PacifiCorp dams.
H.R. 8263, named the Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act, was put forward by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.). It clarifies that the Bureau of Reclamation holds sole authority over developing new hydropower projects within Reclamation initiatives, thereby eliminating redundant permitting processes.
H.R. 7776, referred to as the Help Hoover Dam Act, was introduced by U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.). This bill authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to utilize $45 million in ratepayer funding for operations, maintenance, and improvements at Hoover Dam.