Legislative Hearing on:

• H.R. 3981 (Hastings of WA), To direct the Secretary of the Interior to allow for prepayment of repayment contracts between the United States and water users, to provide surface water storage enhancement, and for other purposes. “Accelerated Revenue, Repayment, and Surface Water Storage Enhancement Act”
• H.R. 3980 (McClintock),To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to coordinate Federal and State permitting processes related to the construction of new surface water storage projects on lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture and to designate the Bureau of Reclamation as the lead agency for permit processing. “Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act”
• Discussion Draft (Hastings of WA), To Amend the Secure Water Act of 2009 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to implement a surface water storage enhancement program, and for other purposes.

Archived Video Webcast:

Member Statements:

The Honorable Tom McClintock
Subcommittee Chairman

The Honorable Doc Hastings
Full Committee Chairman

Witnesses and Testimony:

PANEL I

Mr. Stuart Somach (H.R. 3981)
Attorney
Somach, Simmons and Dunn
Sacramento, California

Mr. Patrick O’Toole (H.R. 3980)
President
Family Farm Alliance
Savery, Wyoming
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Steve Ellis (All bills)
Vice President
Taxpayers for Common Sense
Washington, D.C.

Mr. Chris Hurd (Discussion Draft)
Circle G Farms
Firebaugh, California

Background:

This hearing follows an oversight hearing on the multiple benefits of increased water storage and ways to expedite water storage projects. Multi-purpose dams and reservoirs can generate affordable emission-free electricity, store water suppliers for farmers, ranchers and municipalities, tame ravaging floods, provide recreational opportunities and provide year-round cold water flows for fisheries.

Related Documents:

• Subcommittee Hearing Notice - January 29, 2014
• Subcommittee Hearing Witness List - February 3, 2014