Bill Overview
Title: To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 and the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 to provide assistance to non-Federal interests for water-related environmental infrastructure projects in northern and southern West Virginia, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill provides for furnishing assistance to nonfederal interests for water-related, environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects in northern and southern West Virginia. The bill includes Gilmer, Mason, Putnam, Kanawha, Jackson, Roane, Clay, Wirt, Calhoun, Braxton, and Pendleton counties in central West Virginia as part of the Southern West Virginia Environmental Restoration Infrastructure and Resource Protection Development Pilot Program. The bill redesignates the area of the pilot program to provide environmental assistance to nonfederal interests in central West Virginia to that of northern West Virginia. The bill replaces the definition of the counties comprising central West Virginia with a definition of the counties comprising northern West Virginia.
Sponsors: Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1]
Target Audience
Population: People in northern and southern West Virginia relying on water-related infrastructure and resources
Estimated Size: 200000
- The bill focuses on providing assistance to nonfederal interests for water-related projects.
- The targeted regions are specifically in northern and southern West Virginia, affecting local populations.
- Central West Virginia is also impacted as it includes counties for the pilot program.
- The infrastructure projects have a direct impact on individuals reliant on water resources within these areas.
- Environmental resource development impacts those involved in agriculture, fishing, and industries dependent on water.
Reasoning
- The policy targets specific localities within West Virginia, primarily northern and southern parts, by extending support for water-related infrastructure projects.
- Consideration of various perspectives includes local residents, farmers, and business owners who might be directly influenced by improvements in water resources.
- Some individuals outside the targeted area or those not reliant on these resources will be unaffected and are included to provide a comprehensive understanding of the policy's reach.
- The limited budget requires a focused approach, likely benefiting areas with existing infrastructure needs or plans for significant environmental development projects.
- The policy may have latent economic effects, potentially boosting local economies if successfully implemented.
Simulated Interviews
Small Business Owner (Kanawha County, WV)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Water infrastructure improvements would greatly help my business, especially during droughts.
- This policy seems beneficial, targeting critical needs in our region.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Farmer (Mason County, WV)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy will help maintain and improve irrigation systems.
- I'm worried about potential bureaucratic delays.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Retired Educator (Gilmer County, WV)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support policies that protect and improve our environment.
- However, I don't have immediate personal stakes in water infrastructure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Environmental Scientist (Pendleton County, WV)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns well with projects I'm involved in.
- Increased funding will likely lead to better outcomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Stay-at-home Parent (Jackson County, WV)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems like a positive step for safe drinking water.
- I hope this is the start of broader improvements in infrastructure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Freelancer (Clay County, WV)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel neutral about the policy.
- It's good for those who need it, but doesn't impact my daily life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
School Teacher (Roane County, WV)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm interested in how this policy might educate the community.
- Water resources need protection at local levels.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Student (Calhoun County, WV)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this policy as a chance for more research opportunities.
- I'm hopeful about the career prospects such projects might bring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Health Worker (Wirt County, WV)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cleaner water means healthier communities, which is my goal.
- Policy funding must be appropriately maintained.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Logistics Manager (Braxton County, WV)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative is crucial for efficient logistics reliant on rivers.
- It’s an important step to maintain waterway infrastructure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $42000000, High: $62000000)
Year 3: $54000000 (Low: $44000000, High: $64000000)
Year 5: $58000000 (Low: $48000000, High: $68000000)
Year 10: $64000000 (Low: $54000000, High: $74000000)
Year 100: $90000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $100000000)
Key Considerations
- Scope of infrastructure projects and timeline of implementation could substantially affect costs.
- Local economic conditions will influence both GDP impact and tax revenue changes.
- Potential environmental regulations and compliances could alter project costs.