Pingree’s amendments to bill increase transparency, accountability

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree welcomed the passage in the US House today of H.R. 1145, National Water Research and Development Initiative Act, introduced by Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN).  This bill coordinates national research and development efforts on water and provides a clear path forward to ensure adequate water supplies for generations to come.  It will ensure that we have an effective national water strategy that uses federal research and development dollars efficiently and eliminates redundant programs. 

Pingree wrote several amendments to the bill, which were included in the final version and passed by the House today.

One amendment will increase transparency and accountability by requiring an audit of water research to see if that research is meeting goals set by Congress.  Another will make it easier for volunteer water quality monitors in Maine and elsewhere to provide their research to the federal government by developing new research tools that can be used by the public.  In addition, Pingree amended the bill to include considerations of climate change in water level measurement models.
 
Following is an overview of the bill:
 
The bill requires an interagency committee to develop a National Water Research and Development Initiative.  The bill requires the President to establish or designate an interagency committee with representation from all federal agencies dealing with water to implement a National Water Research and Development Initiative to improve federal activities on water, including research, development, demonstration, data collection and dissemination, education, and technology transfer.
 
As part of the Initiative, the interagency committee is required to develop a National Water Availability Research and Assessment Plan. The bill requires this Plan to include such items as the following:
·       A national water census.
·       An assessment of national and regional water quality, availability, and use.
·       Methods designed to resolve water resource conflicts.
·       Water resource forecasting models.
·       Technological development designed to increase water supplies and reduce water pollution.
·       Identification of statutory or regulatory barriers to research on water resource technologies.
·       An analysis of the energy-water nexus challenges throughout the United States.
 
The interagency committee is required to coordinate with the Global Change Research Program.  To ensure that water-related climate change concerns are addressed, the bill requires the interagency committee to coordinate the activities of the Initiative with the United States Global Change Research Program.
 
The bill also creates a National Water Initiative Coordination Office.  In an effort to provide technical and administrative support, the bill creates a National Water Initiative Coordination Office.  The office would disseminate information to the public and serve as a point of contact for the Initiative.  The bill authorizes $2 million per year to NOAA for coordination and outreach activities undertaken by the National Water Initiative Coordination Office.
 
The bill is supported by numerous business, environmental, and water policy organizations.  The list of the groups supporting the bill includes the National Beverage Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Water Innovations Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council, Alliance Environment, Water Environment Research Foundation, Council of Scientific Society Presidents, Food and Water Watch, Water Research Foundation, and Clean Water Action.