House Passes Gordon Water Coordination Bill

April 23, 2009, WASHINGTON, D.C. – Counties and local economies across Tennessee and throughout the country are affected by frequent and severe droughts.  Today, the U.S. House passed bipartisan legislation authored by Congressman Bart Gordon that would coordinate federal water research and development, and in turn help communities handle water shortages.

“In October, 80% of Tennessee had drought conditions, which ruined the crop yields of countless farmers and hurt already struggling local economies,” said Congressman Gordon.  “Diminished supplies of water and intense competition for limited resources are forcing local water agencies to make tough decisions on water allocations and limiting water access for businesses and families.”

Gordon’s bill, the National Water Research and Development Initiative Act (H.R. 1145), would require the President to create a national water strategy, which is an essential component to a stable economy.  According to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), each of the eight water shortages over the past 20 years from drought and heat waves resulted in $1 billion or more in monetary losses.

“Currently 20 federal agencies handle water research and development, and there is little coordination of their efforts,” explained Gordon.  “This legislation will ensure federal research dollars go further and that better water management information is available to state and local governments.”

Gordon’s legislation builds upon recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences, which issued a report in 2004 entitled “Confronting the Nation’s Water Problems: The Role of Federal Research.”  As recommended in the report, the House-passed legislation would require the establishment of an interagency committee to improve federal activities on water.  The committee would have representatives from each federal agency that deals with water, whether it is water research, development, demonstration, data collection and dissemination, education, and/or technology transfer.

“Tennessee is one of 36 states expected to experience severe water shortages over the next 4 years,” added Gordon.  “A coordinated federal water research effort will help states and local governments better manage their water supplies and get through dry seasons and droughts.”

Gordon’s bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

(Note: The above image is an adaptation of data produced by National Drought Mitigation Center.  The original data can be found at http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/archive/20081007/pdfs/tn_dm_081007.pdf.)