Nevada Congressional Representatives Address Colorado River Drought Issue

April 4, 20190969

Desert exposed as Lake Mead recedes at Overton Arm of Lake Mead

Nevada Representatives Help Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Historic Drought of the Colorado River, Preserve Nevada’s Water Supply

Washington, DC – Reps. Susie Lee (NV-03), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Steven Horsford (NV-04) helped introduce the bipartisan Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act, which will address the historic drought conditions along the Colorado River through voluntary water reductions and reservoir management strategies. The Colorado River is one of Nevada’s main source for drinking water.

“Southern Nevada could be facing water shortage in the not-so-distant future. The water supply at Lake Mead is currently dangerously low and could reach emergency levels by 2020,” said Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03). “Washington has neglected this issue for far too long, and the time to act is now. I’m helping introduce this critical bipartisan legislation so we can preserve the Colorado River’s water supply, and ease the burden on Lake Mead and Southern Nevada. This bill is a good first step but I will continue fighting to make sure Congress takes more concrete action in fighting climate change and water shortages.”

“This bipartisan legislation sends a clear message to the Administration to respect the efforts of the Basin States in this critical agreement,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01). “They know best how to deal with water management in the West, where our supply has been threatened by climate change. I will continue to work with my colleagues to protect Southern Nevada’s interests in the Colorado River Basin, which supplies 90% of Las Vegas’s drinking water.”

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to protect Nevada’s water supply,” said Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04). “This drought contingency plan is an important part of protecting the millions of Americans who rely on the Colorado River every day.”

BACKGROUND:

The Colorado River Basin provides water supply to the American Southwest, roughly a total of 40 million people. Currently, it’s experiencing its 19th year of drought.