On February 26, WSWC Executive Director Tony Willardson testified on Water Supply Reliability in the 21st Century before the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Oceans & Wildlife (WOW), Chaired by Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA). It was part of a month-long series of hearings examining climate change, including the projected impact of shrinking snowpack, reduced precipitation, and warming temperatures on water supplies. The WSWC testimony focused on our Vision on Water and position statements. Water is a scarce and precious resource, particularly in the West, and a reliable water supply of suitable quality should be a public policy priority. A secure water future is increasingly uncertain due to a number of factors: (1) limited data regarding water supplies and demands or uses; (2) unpredictable climate extremes, such as drought and floods; (3) aging and often inadequate water infrastructure; (4) competing or poorly defined water rights; and (5) changing values and regulatory requirements.
Ranking Member Tom McClintock (R-CA) attended, as did Representatives Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Jody Hice (R-GA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), TJ Cox (D-CA), Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Mike Levin (D-CA). Other witnesses included: Brad Udall, Senior Water and Climate Research Scientist, Colorado State University; Jonathan Nelson, Community Water Center, Visalia, CA; and Harrison Ibach, President, Humboldt Fishermen’s Marketing Association. For further information see here.