Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01), a senior Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2024. The biannual bill reauthorizes programs that protect our country’s ports, inland water networks, and flood control programs.

“Today the House passed a bipartisan Water Resources Development Act which will invest in critical infrastructure and ecosystem restoration programs that will improve water conservation and quality in Nevada,” said Rep. Titus. “I am proud to have led efforts to secure an extension of the Las Vegas Wash Program which is essential for returning water to Lake Mead as our region continues to battle historic drought.”

“On behalf of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, we appreciate Congresswoman Titus’s efforts to ensure our federal partners have both the policy tools necessary to support the implementation of local drought emergency response plans and the funding capability to advance environmental restoration efforts of the Las Vegas Wash, which will protect water quality and our water supply,” said Zane Marshall, Director of Water Resources for the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

Background

The bill includes multiple provisions championed by Congresswoman Titus to protect critical water infrastructure, safeguard vulnerable ecosystems, and ensure Nevada continues to be a leader in water conservation.

Las Vegas Wash Program

The Las Vegas Wash is the primary drainage channel for the Las Vegas Valley watershed, carrying around 200 million gallons of water to Lake Mead daily. This helps Southern Nevada position itself as a leader in recycling 99 percent of water that is used indoors.

Authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, the Las Vegas Wash Program has contributed to erosion control, biological restoration, and other activities that have protected the Wash.

Thanks to Rep. Titus’s efforts at the committee level, the legislation raises the funding cap for the program by $20 million which will ensure continued federal support for the Wash as the region combats record drought and extreme heat.

Reauthorization of the National Dam Safety Program

The National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) was first authorized in 1996 and is the primary source of federal support for dam safety programs at the state level. In the 1^st Congressional District, there are 28 qualified dams. The State of Nevada receives annual funding from the NDSP State Assistance Program for training, staffing needs, emergency planning, and dam inspection and monitoring activities. The program expired on September 30, 2023.

The provision requested by Rep. Titus will reauthorize the NDSP through FY2028, while also providing smaller communities with greater access to the program for their repair needs.

Invasive Species in Alpine Lakes Pilot Program

Congresswoman Titus led the effort to extend the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Invasive Species in Alpine Lakes Pilot Program which 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 tourism-based economy.

Corrosion Prevention for Water Resources Development Projects

In order to enhance bridge safety, Rep. Titus helped secure language to ensure contractors, for corrosion prevention purposes, adhere to and adopt the highest industry-recognized standards in the field.

Emergency Drought Operations

During the committee markup, Rep. Titus secured an amendment to implement an emergency drought operations pilot program for projects in the Lower Colorado River Basin. The program would provide the Corps with the flexibility to update water control manuals during drought emergencies so that they are consistent with drought contingency plans for the impacted areas.