As the authorizing subcommittee for the Bureau of Reclamation and the Federal power marketing administrations, the Subcommittee on Water and Power is involved in all aspects of shaping Federal policies for water and power resources management, especially in the rapidly growing West.

         The Congress and Federal agencies need to do a better job of working with the states, local governments, and various "stakeholders" in management of the scarce water resources in the Western states. The Western states are experiencing explosive growth in the 21st century, but water management decisions often are made just as they were 75 years ago. Federal agencies bicker over their jurisdiction and responsibilities, and implementation of new laws and policies governing water management often is tied up in lengthy and expensive litigation. Water users in the West often cling tenaciously to "traditional" water projects while resisting proposals to recycle water supplies or do a better job of water conservation.

         Federal water policy has not really changed all that much in the 100 years since the enactment of the Reclamation Act of 1902. Our water infrastructure is aging and deteriorating. We have to protect fragile ecosystems and restore the ones we have damaged in past decades of thoughtless water development. Huge quantities of water that could be recycled are instead flushed out to sea. And many water projects are still heavily subsidized with Federal funds, even though the original justifications for water subsidies are no longer applicable or have long been forgotten. The Subcommittee on Water and Power can and should be the leaders in developing and implementing sensible water policies.

DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS - 109th Congress

1. Mrs. Grace F. Napolitano, CA-38, Ranking Democrat
2. Mr. Raul Grijalva, AZ-07
3. Mr. Jim Costa, CA-20
4. Mr. George Miller, CA-07
5. Mr. Mark Udall, CO-02
6. Mr. Dennis A. Cardoza, CA-18
7. vacancy
8. vacancy

STAFF CONTACTS

Steve Lanich, Legislative Staff - Water Subcommittee Issues

H2-186 Ford House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-6201

Phone: (202) 226-2311
Fax: (202) 225-4273