Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced legislation to help continue to combat drought in Nevada and support erosion control projects around the Las Vegas Wash, which plays a critical role in helping the Las Vegas Valley return water to Lake Mead.
“Combating drought requires creative solutions, and that includes working together to make sure the Las Vegas Wash can continue to clean and funnel water from the Las Vegas Valley into Lake Mead,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This legislation will help safeguard Las Vegas’ water supply.”
“As we continue to combat the extreme drought facing Nevada, it’s critical that we invest in our existing water infrastructure,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to help introduce this legislation to address water resource challenges and support important restoration efforts around the Las Vegas Wash.”
The Las Vegas Wash combats drought in Southern Nevada by helping to filter the urban runoff and waste water that runs through the valley into Lake Mead. The Las Vegas Wash Program Extension Act would facilitate an additional $25 million for the Las Vegas Wash program to support Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Bureau of Reclamation’s erosion control work, revegetation efforts, scientific studies, and biological restoration activities.
Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen have been leaders in the Senate working to combat drought. Cortez Masto fought to deliver $4 billion to combat drought in the states bordering the Colorado River in the Inflation Reduction Act that Senator Rosen also supported. They both helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will continue to make a historic amount of funding available for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across the country over the next five years. Cortez Masto also championed a $450 million competitive grant program for large-scale water recycling projects across the Western U.S.
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