Washington, DC – Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01), Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, issued the following statement after the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA). The bill includes two key provisions championed by Congresswoman Titus to preserve the Lake Tahoe ecosystem and provide communities with resources to address water-related challenges including drought.

“I am proud to lead the effort in today’s legislation that funds the Invasive Species in Alpine Lakes Pilot Program and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers technical assistance programs,” said Rep. Titus. “These programs address key problems facing the West, including the removal of aquatic invasive species from Lake Tahoe and developing flood control solutions. Water is a vital resource and I’m fighting in Congress to treat it accordingly.”

Background

Invasive Species in Alpine Lakes Pilot Program

Congresswoman Titus led the effort to include at least $15 million for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to implement the Invasive Species in Alpine Lakes Pilot Program. In April, she sent a letter to Chairwoman Pingree and Ranking Member Joyce of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies highlighting that this pilot program would develop and carry out effective measures for preventing, controlling, and eradicating aquatic invasive species in alpine lakes outside of the National Park System.

The federal government owns and manages approximately 78 percent of the lands within the Tahoe watershed which is home of the largest alpine lake in North America. This makes the ongoing federal role at Lake Tahoe both appropriate and vital for the region’s $5 billion tourism-based economy.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Technical Assistance

The USACE helps communities develop flood control solutions through multiple technical assistance programs including Planning Assistance to States (PAS) (42 USC 1962d-16). Given the growing threats we face from water-related challenges like flooding, drought, and coastal storm risks, today’s bill makes USACE technical assistance easier for states and local communities to access. Rep. Titus also secured language that would allow USACE to contract out to institutions of higher education for the purposes of providing technical assistance for Flood Plain Management Services. That will provide communities access technical assistance faster so they can address local water-related challenges.

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