Las Vegas, NV – Today Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) announced a $20 million grant from the Bureau of Reclamation to support the Southern Nevada Water Authority with erosion control measures and to protect in-stream habitat in the Las Vegas Wash. This funding is made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law she championed as a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

“The Las Vegas Wash brings over 200 million gallons of groundwater to Lake Mead per day and its protection is critical to conservation efforts in the Las Vegas watershed,” said Rep. Titus. “This $20 million grant will allow the Southern Nevada Water Authority to take necessary steps to create additional wetlands and improve conditions for wildlife. It will also remove invasive species and boost water quality for everyone in our region. By investing in the protection of our environment, we are investing in a cleaner, healthier future.”


Background
Today’s funding comes from the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program which was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program provides funding to support projects that improve the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat. The $20 million for the Southern Nevada Water Authority will help complete construction on Weir 5, an erosion control structure in the Lower Las Vegas Wash in the National Park Service’s (NPS) Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA). 

Serving as the crucial final link in the Valley’s watershed, the Wash channels more than 200 million gallons of highly treated effluent, urban runoff, and shallow groundwater to Lake Mead each day, and carries stormwater to the lake during rain events. Wetlands in the Wash help to filter impurities from these flows and provide important animal habitat in the desert climate of Southern Nevada. 

The project will create additional wetlands for the benefit of water quality and wildlife and will involve the removal of invasive tamarisk and revegetation with native shrubs, trees, and grasses. The project will improve habitat conditions for wildlife, including the federally endangered southwestern willow flycatcher and Yuma Ridgway’s rail, and the threatened yellow-billed cuckoo. It will also augment spawning habitat for the razorback sucker.

This project is supported by numerous stakeholders, including members of the Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee and Las Vegas Valley Watershed Advisory Committee.