Titus scores victory with water legislation

By Lisa Mascaro

Thursday, April 23, 2009 | 12:59 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Democratic Rep. Dina Titus continues her legislative sprint today as the House approved a water bill, including her amendment to seek better models for predicting water availability in the face of climate change and urban growth.

For those of you keeping track, this is Titus’ second legislative success story in the first 100 days of the new administration. (Checking to what kind of record that might set for the 3rd District congressional seat.)

Today’s amendment was tucked into the broader National Water Research and Development Initiatives Act and did not require a separate vote. The broader bill passed overwhelmingly, 413-10. It now moves to the Senate.

Titus spoke on the floor in support of her measure, saying accurate modeling of available water resources is especially important in Nevada and other states threatened by drought conditions.

“Water has become, and will continue to be, a significant limiting resource for the western United States,” Titus said.

“Accurate predictions about the availability of water resources will help our communities as they work to ensure businesses and families have access to a clean, safe, and adequate water supply,” she continued.

“It is vital that we fully understand the current distribution of this resource while also being able to accurately predict the impacts of future conditions like growth and climate change on its availability.”

Titus gave a nod to the Desert Research Institute in Nevada, which she said is already working on improved predictions.

The institute has partnered with Nevada’s universities to establish an experimental facility in Boulder City to study the impact of climate change of groundwater recharge. Their work, she said, could serve as a model for similar federally-coordinated undertakings.

“Whether communities are worried about drought or flooding, snowmelt or urban runoff, the improvement of water prediction models will help communities across the country adapt to changes in the natural and built environment,” she said.

This is the second legislative amendment Titus has successfully incorporated into bills during the these early days of the new Congress.

Titus offered an amendment to a national service bill that creates a National Service Reserve Corps — volunteers who can be called on in natural disasters and other emergencies.

President Barack Obama signed that bill, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, into law this week.

Titus was on hand for the signing ceremony, along with Kennedy, former President Bill Clinton and other members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.