In Appropriations Markup, Rep. Lee Votes to Combat Drought, Protect Nevada Public Lands

Statement

This week, Rep. Susie Lee, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted to pass the fiscal year 2023 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies funding bill out of the full Appropriations Committee. This bill contains many provisions that Rep. Lee fought for, including funding to support water data management, in line with Rep. Lee's Open Access Evapotranspiration (OpenET) Act, and funding to support conservation and wildlife protection. The legislation also includes Rep. Lee's Community Project Funding request for $3 million for Southern Nevada Water Authority's Septic Conversion Program which helps southern Nevada homeowners afford to transition from septic systems to municipal sewer systems. Homes with septic systems are shown to consume six times more water than homes connected to sewer systems in the Las Vegas Valley.

"As our state faces the worst drought in twelve centuries, it's crucial that we invest in water conservation and better water management -- and you can't manage what you can't measure," said Rep. Susie Lee. "This bill more than triples the funding for OpenET programs that put water use data in the hands of farmers, ranchers, and decision-makers for improved water management. As our water supplies dwindle to emergency levels, it's more important than ever that we have access to all the water data we need to conserve this precious resource. That's why I introduced the OpenET Act, and this increased funding for OpenET complements this legislation."

"As an avid outdoorswoman, I'm proud that this bill provides significant funding for conservation and wildlife protection," continued Rep. Susie Lee. "This funding will help us protect public lands -- including Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, and Spirit Mountain Wilderness -- and get our federal land management agencies the additional resources and staff they need to continue to steward these storied sites."

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies funding bill:

Includes Rep. Lee's Community Project Funding request for $3 million for Southern Nevada Water Authority's (SNWA) Septic Conversion Program. This program helps cover costs for southern Nevada homeowners to transition from septic systems to municipal sewer systems. Municipal sewer systems are proven to save water, which is critical as southern Nevada faces extreme drought.
Provides additional funding for staffing and stewarding the Bureau of Land Management's National Landscape Conservation System, which will directly benefit Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, and Spirit Mountain Wilderness.
Boosts funding for the U.S. Geological Survey's work with the Open Evapotranspiration consortium and the Open Evapotranspiration software system. Rep. Lee has been an advocate for the OpenET program, which puts water use data in the hands of farmers, ranchers, and decision-makers for improved water management.
Creates good-paying American jobs and strengthens the environmental workforce through investments in renewable energy development.
Confronts the climate crisis and builds resilience to climate change by expanding environmental enforcement efforts with a focus on land and water conservation.
Protects and preserves public lands and biodiversity, which encompasses threatened and endangered species and their habitats.
Supports underserved communities overburdened by disproportionate impacts from pollution.
Makes historic investments in the arts and humanities.
The following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full Committee:

Rep. Pingree -- The manager's amendment makes technical and noncontroversial changes to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Rep. Cline #2 -- This amendment requires a report on wastewater facilities that are scheduled for replacement within the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

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