The Water Resources Coalition was established in 2007 to promote the development, implementation and funding of a comprehensive national water resources policy. With member organizations representing state and local governments, conservation, engineering and construction, ports, waterways and transportation services, the Coalition works to ensure that a comprehensive, national water resources policy is developed, implemented and funded to provide a sustainable, productive economy; a healthy aquatic ecology; and public health and safety. For more information, visit the Water Resources Coalition Web site at www.waterresourcescoalition.org. |
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House Energy & Water Subcommittee Approves FY 11 Spending Bill
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water yesterday marked up the fiscal year 2011 spending bill. The subcommittee approved the $34.6 billion bill by a voice vote after much debate in regards to several sections under the Department of Energy.
The approved legislation would provide the Army Corps of Engineers with $5.2 billion. While the amount for the Corps is a reduction of $165 million from fiscal year 2010, it is $400 million more than the request from the Obama Administration. The subcommittee felt that restoring $400 million to the Corps' budget can preserve or create thousands of job, while providing increased transportation efficiency on our nation's waterways. The bill also recognized the increasing cost of our aging water resources infrastructure through significantly increasing funding for the operation and maintenance of existing projects by $168 million over the President's request. Chair of the subcommittee, Ed Pastor (D-AZ), stated that a "substantial portion of the restored funding will be provided using a nationwide prioritization of projects based on the merits or the projects, both in terms of their ability to improve the safety of our communities and those projects that maximize benefits to the nation while minimizing costs."
Finally, under the legislation the Bureau of Reclamation would receive $1.1 billion, a $22 million cut from FY 10, but equal to that request from the Administration.
Chairman Pastor stated after the mark up that the committee is aware of the nation's pressing need for water resources investment. Furthermore, he made it clear that "preventing the loss of life and property caused by flooding, investing in our nation's economic competitiveness through thriving coastal and inland navigation industry, restoring and protecting aquatic ecosystems, supplying water for irrigated agriculture, and providing clean drinking water and inexpensive hydropower for our communities are among the top priorities of the Committee."
The Water Resources Coalition will continue to follow Energy and Water Appropriations as they proceed through the House and the Senate and will send out updates as appropriate.
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