NGWA Washington Update - February 22, 2016

Hydrogeology, Geology, & Environmental Issues

Date posted: 02/22/16

President Obama Releases FY2017 Budget, Yields Mixed Bag for NGWA Priorities... On February 9, President Barack Obama released what is described as an aspirational $4.1 trillion budget, pressing his case on environmental and energy initiatives. The White House championed a concerted cross-agency effort devoted to water innovation noting $260 million in the budget is devoted to activities that boost research and data surrounding water efficiency and water supply issues. Given persistent drought in the West, the Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART program will receive a 12% boost. Also, $88 million was given to the National Science Foundation in support of research to increase the U.S. water supply. The budget proposes $1.2 billion for the U.S. Geological Survey in FY2017 with the Water Resources Program seeing an increase of $17.3 million over FY2016 levels. However, much of the increase goes to programs such as streamgages, floodplain management, and aid for tribal water needs. California Senator Introduces New Drought Bill, Includes Open Water Data System ... Early this year, Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced legislation for California and western states drought relief. The legislation includes a section creating a voluntary open water data system. Pressure Mounts for EPA to Revise Drinking Water Standards ... The lead crisis in Flint, Michigan has mobilized state and non-profit groups to take a closer look at existing federal regulations surrounding drinking water standards. The Lead and Copper Rule, which regulates the amount of allowable lead and copper in plumbing fittings, was scheduled to be revised in 2017 but there is pressure to expedite reissuance of that regulation. Implementing Clean Power Plan Put on Hold by Supreme Court ... Pending what is likely to be a drawn-out legal battle, the Supreme Court issued a blow to one of the Obama administration key policy initiatives the Clean Power Plan rule.