Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) issued the following statement after the release of a presidential memorandum seeking to enhance western water access and resources.

“For many years, westerners have expressed their need for certainty and access to water and affordable, renewable hydropower. Today President Trump answered those requests by delivering a clear win for communities throughout the west.  This action will increase the availability to innovative technology, improve access to water, reduce regulatory burden, and provide needed certainty from completed biological opinions.  The agriculture sector in the west plays a significant role in many industries across the country, and this presidential memorandum will aid in the success of our overall economy.  Thank you to President Trump and my colleagues, Reps. Cathy McMorris Rogers, Dan Newhouse, and Jeff Denham for working tirelessly to bring the voices of your constituents to national attention.” – Chairman Rob Bishop  

“I’ve led on legislation to protect the Columbia and Snake River System and encourage widespread collaboration in our region. Dams and fish coexist, and after more than two decades in the courtroom, we should let scientists, not judges, manage our river systems and get to work to further improve fish recovery efforts. Today, I’m encouraged by President Trump’s action, which also meets those goals.” – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-Wash.)

“While the Senate fails to act on our House-passed legislation to restore the collaborative framework that operates the Columbia and Snake River Power System, I am grateful to President Trump for speeding up this ongoing process. Moving up the deadline for the EIS is a procedural win that will give more certainty to the communities whose livelihoods depend on effective operations of our dams.” – Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.)

“My number one priority has always been to deliver more water to the Central Valley. This order will reduce regulatory burden to and promote more efficient environmental reviews of California water storage projects, ensuring that Valley farmers and residents have a supply of water for generations to come.” – Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.)

Background:

April 25, 2018: The House passed H.R. 3144, a bipartisan bill providing certainty regarding the management of the Federal Columbia River Power System, preventing the wasting of $40 million in lost power generation.

October 12, 2017: The Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans held a legislative hearing on improving the recovery of Endangered Species Act listed fish while providing certainty for water and power users.

July 12, 2017: The House passed the GROW Act, which addresses underlying federal policy, regulatory and administrative failures that have contributed to the mismanagement of water supplies across the West.