Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-D) and Congressman David Valadao (CA-R) introduced a bipartisan legislation, the Water Conservation Economic Adjustment Act, to assist with water conservation efforts while diversifying economics in regions affected by drought and extreme heat. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Colorado River Basin has experienced a historic, extended drought since 2000.
Nearly 40 million people across 7 states, 29 federally recognized Indian tribes, and 4 million acres of farmland rely on water from the Colorado River Basin. The river is responsible for contributing $1.4 trillion in annual economic activity and sustaining 16 million jobs within the basin.
The Public Works and Economic Development Act (PWEDA) of 1965 provides Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) for regions experiencing adverse economic changes that occur suddenly or over time, including those caused by military base closures, disasters or emergencies, and changes in international trade.
The Water Conservation Economic Adjustment Act amends PWEDA to to permit certain grant funds to be used for assisting regional economies with limiting industrial consumptive water use, and for other purposes.
