Congress Quietly Shifts Its Attention West

The 117th Congress has approved more funding for physical infrastructure and clean energy than any other session of in America's history. You have probably seen headlines news stories with this fact splashed across major newspapers following the passage Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) Inflation Reduction (IRA), but you might not be as familiar strides made toward mitigating drought West. Historic conditions Colorado River Basin managed to stir action from a divided at point recent Lawmakers western states prioritized mitigation programs decades, now floodgates are finally beginning open national level. In last 12 months, between IIJA IRA, provided $12 billion US Bureau Reclamation (USBR) critical water supply projects over next five years. On average, USBR will receive about $2.4 per year on top its annual appropriations, which fiscal 2022 amounted $1.75 billion. This directly supports related aging infrastructure, storage, recycling reuse, desalination, efficiency, contingency planning, more. One last-minute addition IRA provides $4 direct response that may used pay farmers others voluntarily reduce use, priority given basin. also include incentives reducing diversions, well undertaking conservation environmental restoration projects, all an effort dramatically withdrawals River. investment is so large some these provisions they received total since their initial authorization. Funds flowing don't end USBR. Of $370 address climate change, nearly $30 reserved drought, forestry, conservation, sustainable agriculture, or indirectly benefit efforts conserve As always, devil details. While set historic levels funding, agency still needs prioritize manage potentially competing interests. However, clearly indicates recognize significance longstanding issues many face. Beyond considering legislation could improve quality throughout portions West been affected by runoff hard-rock mining operations. Under current law, Good Samaritans who volunteer remediate abandoned mine sites responsible pollution mines soon begin work—a significant roadblock organizations would otherwise recover restore land. Samaritan Remediation Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, sets up new pilot program, limit liability those West, subject certain eligibility requirements safeguards. unlock additional cleanup capacity beyond federal government. All activity good continue face shrinking supplies coupled increasing demand. Not every issue can solved level through increased quietly brought resources bear memory. Nate Norris legislative affairs manager AWWA Government Affairs office Washington, D.C.; [email protected].