Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act. Senator Cortez Masto cosponsored this legislation which ensures the implementation of the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) while also respecting vital environmental protections for the states along the Colorado River Basin. This evening, the House also passed companion DCP legislation. The measure will be sent to the President for signature.
“The passage of the Drought Contingency Plan is the culmination of years of work by the seven Colorado River Basin States, researchers, local stakeholders and tribal governments. I’d also like to thank Mr. John Entsminger, the General Manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority for all of the hard work he’s done on behalf of the State of Nevada to get us to this day. This legislation will help conserve Lake Mead’s vital water supply and ensure Nevadans have access to critical water resources. As drought continues to threaten our Western states, collaborative conservation and restoration efforts must remain a local, state and national priority. I’ll keep fighting for solutions that protect both our urban centers and our farming and ranching communities, prioritize our tourism economy and ensure environmental protections for the Colorado River and all of Nevada’s water resources.”