Congressman Garamendi Introduces Amendments to Combat Drought, Invasive Species, and Conserve Water

In a bid to tackle the worsening drought and invasive species issue in California, Congressman John Garamendi introduced two amendments to the Fiscal Year 2016 Interior, Forest Service, and Environmental Protection Agency appropriations bill. The measures aim to improve drought monitoring, bolster efforts to combat invasive species, and draw attention to the need to reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Garamendi, a former Deputy Secretary of the Interior Department, emphasized the importance of responsible use and conservation of natural resources, highlighting the critical need for better water management and invasive species control.

Key Takeaways:

• Congressman Garamendi introduced two amendments to improve drought monitoring and combat invasive species, impacting water resources and national parks in California.
• The first amendment aimed to increase funding for the Water Resources account by $11.6 million, specifically targeting programs like the Water Availability and Use Science Program and the Groundwater and Streamflow Information System.
• Garamendi secured a commitment from the Subcommittee Chairman to address the funding issue, despite withdrawing the amendment.
• The second amendment sought to enhance funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Aquatic Habitat and Species Conservation account by $3.2 million to combat invasive species like quagga mussels and water hyacinth.
• Garamendi emphasized the importance of reauthorizing and fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund to protect national parks, refuges, and forests.
• The amendments aimed to address pressing issues in California, including the drought, invasive species, and water quality, with potential implications for public health and the economy.

Statistics:

• The proposed increase in funding for the Water Resources account is $11.6 million.
• The amendment to enhance funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Aquatic Habitat and Species Conservation account aims for an increase of $3.2 million.
• The Land and Water Conservation Fund will expire in 100 days unless Congress takes action to reauthorize and fully fund it.
• The Water Availability and Use Science Program, Groundwater and Streamflow Information System, National Water Quality Program, and Water Resources Research Act Program are included in the Water Resources account targeted by the first amendment.

Sources:

• Statement from Congressman John Garamendi.
• H.R. 2822, the Fiscal Year 2016 Interior, Forest Service, and Environmental Protection Agency appropriations bill.
• Video footage from the House Floor debate.