Cortez Masto Propels Bipartisan Legislation to Revolutionize Western Water Management and Tackle Drought

Open Access Evapotranspiration Act Passes Senate Committee

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s (D-Nev.) bipartisan Open Access Evapotranspiration (OpenET) Act has been approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with strong bipartisan support. This legislation aims to enhance access to water data and provide a crucial tool for farmers, ranchers, and decision-makers in combating drought and conserving resources in the West.

Cortez Masto’s OpenET Act is a groundbreaking initiative that leverages publicly-available data from satellites and weather stations to estimate evapotranspiration (ET). ET is a vital measure of water consumption and withdrawal from a water system. By creating a Department of the Interior program, this innovative approach ensures the financial sustainability of agricultural operations during droughts, enables water users to develop accurate budgets for conservation, and empowers groundwater managers to make informed decisions that can benefit Nevada communities.

Senator Cortez Masto expressed her enthusiasm for the bipartisan support received, stating, “Climate change has intensified the devastating impacts of drought in the West. This legislation will play a crucial role in maximizing the effectiveness of our water resources. By making essential water data easily accessible to ranchers and water authorities, we can protect our water supply. I remain committed to pushing this bill across the finish line.”

The full text of the bill can be found HERE.

Senator Cortez Masto’s Fight Against Drought

Senator Cortez Masto has been at the forefront of combating drought in the Senate. Her efforts have resulted in significant achievements, including securing $4 billion in funding to address drought in states bordering the Colorado River through the Inflation Reduction Act. Additionally, she played a key role in the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocates a historic amount of funding for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements nationwide over the next five years.

Furthermore, Cortez Masto successfully enacted a $450 million competitive grant program for large-scale water recycling projects across the Western U.S., demonstrating her dedication to addressing water scarcity challenges.

With the Open Access Evapotranspiration Act now heading to the full Senate for consideration, Senator Cortez Masto continues her tireless efforts to combat drought and protect water resources.

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Read More of this Story at www.cortezmasto.senate.gov – 2023-12-16 01:49:05