Five Bills Championed by Rep. Susie Lee Pass the House as Part of Drought and Wildfire Package

Statement

Today, Rep. Susie Lee voted to pass the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency (WRDR) Act out of the House. This legislation includes five bills championed by Rep. Lee to combat drought, promote water conservation, and invest in western water infrastructure. The package includes 49 bills overall that will provide much-needed investments to enhance drought resiliency, protect communities against catastrophic wildfires, expand science programs, modernize data and technology, and ensure a whole-of-government approach to wildfire and drought issues.

"This can't be overstated -- Nevada is facing the worst drought in 12 centuries, and it's an existential threat to our communities and our future," said Rep. Susie Lee. "Ensuring access to clean water for Nevadans is one of my top priorities, and I'm so proud that this legislation includes five of my bills that combat drought, promote water conservation, and invest in western water infrastructure. I will always fight for solutions to conserve our precious water resources and address drought long-term. And of course, drought and wildfire go hand and hand, and Nevada is no stranger to either. We must address these dual crises, and we must address them now. This legislation will help us prevent and better respond to wildfires that devastate communities and turn deadly. Nevadans are better off with this important bill."

These five bills championed by Rep. Lee are included in the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act:

H.R. 8434, The Facilitating Large-Scale Water Recycling and Reuse Projects Act
H.R. 8415, The Las Vegas Wash Program Extension Act
H.R. 7792, The Water Data Act
H.R. 5345, The Saline Lake Ecosystems in the Great Basin States Program Act
H.R. 4832, The Open Access Evapotranspiration Data Act 
More on the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act (WRDR):

To improve drought resiliency, the WRDR Act

Provides $500 million to prevent key reservoirs of the Colorado River from declining to unsafe levels.
Invests in innovative drought-proof water infrastructure, including water recycling and desalination projects.
Secures water reliability for Indian Country, by advancing tribal water rights settlements, investing $1 billion in tribal clean water access, and supporting technical assistance for tribal water needs.
Supports the development of modern water management data and technology.
Protects and restores important ecosystems and wildlife populations that have been impacted by drought and climate change.
To improve wildfire response, the WRDR Act

Establishes new hiring authorities and a minimum basic pay rate (approximately $20/hour) for wildland firefighters, as well as mental health leave and hazard pay.
Authorizes a 10-Year National Wildfire Response Plan for landscape-scale projects across the country.
Provides tools and resources to assist communities' wildfire activities, including prescribed fires, and supports opportunities for tribes and Conservation Corps in wildfire activities.
To ensure a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to wildfire and drought, the WRDR Act

Improves wildfire-related programs at the Department of Energy, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Fire Administration and provides improved assistance and relief for communities that have been impacted by recent wildfires.
Establishes the National Disaster Safety Board and directs the President to establish a National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program.
Advances environmental justice for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by environmental discrimination and climate change-induced wildfire and drought.

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