Today, the House passed H.R. 1654, the “Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act,” by a bipartisan vote of 233-180. Introduced by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), the bill creates a “one-stop-shop” permitting process through the Bureau of Reclamation for new or expanded surface storage facilities. It streamlines agency permit requirements that sometimes impose unnecessary costs and burdens on entities seeking to construct new water storage infrastructure.

“This bill is a win for good government. It removes layers of federal bureaucracy in order to expand much needed water infrastructure at a lower cost and without undue delay,” Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) said.

“H.R. 1654 establishes a framework in which federal agencies with permitting responsibilities for the construction of new surface water storage projects must work together, coordinate their schedules, share data and technical materials, and make their findings publicly available. The end result would be fewer delays, more efficient use of taxpayer dollars and ultimately, more abundant water supplies,” McClintock stated.

Click here to learn more about the bill.

This bill is endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Association of California Water Agencies, National Water Resources Association, Municipal Water District of Orange County, Voith Hydro, New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, New Mexico Wool Growers, Inc., Agribusiness & Water Council of Arizona, La Paz County Stockmen’s, Arizona Liberty, Arizona Chapter of the Concerned Citizens for America, Arizona Pork Council, Irrigation and Electrical Districts Association of Arizona, Arizona Westside Irrigation and Electrical Districts, Electrical District No. 3 of Pinal County, Electrical District No. 4 of Pinal County, Central Arizona Irrigation and Drainage District, Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation & Drainage District, New Magma Irrigation and Drainage District, Arizona Mining Association, Arizona Bass Nation, Arizona Deer Association, the Bass Federation, and Family Farm Alliance.