Wittman, Napolitano Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Water Quality and Quantity Issues

U.S. Representatives Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Grace Napolitano (D-CA), members of the House Natural Resources Committee, have introduced a bill to extend a Federal-State partnership aimed at addressing state and regional water problems, promoting distribution and application of research results, and providing training and practical experience for water-related scientists and engineers. The Water Resources Research Amendments Act (H.R. 4497) would authorize $9,000,000 annually over five years for grants to water resources research institutes and require two-to-one matching with non-federal funds. The Act would also promote exploration of new ideas, expand research to reduce energy consumption, and bolster reporting and accountability requirements.

"Independent review has confirmed that the benefits the Water Resources Research Institutes provide in Virginia and in other states far outweigh the expenditures," Wittman said. "This grant matching program has been instrumental, for example, in efforts across Mid-Atlantic states and in the Commonwealth to keep the Chesapeake Bay and our other water resources clean. Its localized approach has resulted in the development of innovative solutions--like urban storm water treatment and improved roadway design--to address particularized water quality and scarcity issues in the Bay and across the United States."

"This legislation will greatly expand our water portfolio in Southern California and across the country, helping grow our water workforce for the future and delivering the most current data to prepare for ongoing drought cycles," Napolitano said. "We rely heavily on academia to provide the public with cost-effective approaches to water districts, farmers, and industries, and new funding opportunities will allow us to continue to work together to tackle short- and long-term water challenges."

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