Bill Overview
Title: Las Vegas Wash Program Extension Act
Description: This bill increases the authorization of appropriations for the Bureau of Reclamation to participate, in partnership with the Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee, in the implementation of the Las Vegas Wash wetlands restoration and Lake Mead improvement project. The Las Vegas Wash in Nevada connects the Las Vegas Valley with Lake Mead.
Sponsors: Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
Target Audience
Population: People who rely on Lake Mead for water supply
Estimated Size: 25000000
- The Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead are critical to water management in the region.
- Wetlands restoration projects typically impact local ecosystems, wildlife, and the environment.
- Las Vegas Valley is a heavily populated area.
- Lake Mead is a major water reservoir providing water to millions in the southwestern United States, including major cities.
- Environmental restoration projects impact not only local residents but also people relying on regional water supplies.
Reasoning
- The policy will primarily impact people living in or near Las Vegas, NV and those dependent on water from Lake Mead, affecting an estimated 25 million people in the southwestern US.
- Given the policy's ecological nature, direct impact will initially be high on those living close to the Las Vegas Wash while broader benefits will extend as improvements to water supplies become tangible.
- Since not all affected individuals will experience immediate changes, it is important to interview a range of perspectives including local residents, environmentalists, and people living in areas dependent on Lake Mead water.
- Budget limitations focus on environmental restoration which may not directly translate to immediate increases in individual wellbeing scores but rather long-term stability and quality of water supplies.
- The sum of budget allocation indicates a significant yet sustainable investment, favoring extended impact over rapid changes, primarily benefiting younger populations as the project matures. Cost distribution focuses on ecosystem benefits alongside water improvement.
Simulated Interviews
Environmental Scientist (Las Vegas, NV)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic about the ecological benefits this project promises.
- Restoring wetlands is crucial for the local wildlife and water management.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Urban Planner (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This project indirectly influences us given our dependency on Lake Mead.
- Any improvement in water quality is welcome, but I'm concerned about water levels first.
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 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Retired (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry more about drought conditions than restoration projects.
- Long-term benefits sound good but are hard to visualize.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Engineer (Henderson, NV)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see potential for this project to improve water for my city personally.
- Engineering aspects excite me in terms of ecological impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Tourism Manager (Las Vegas, NV)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Restoration adds to the recreational and scenic value of the area.
- It supports our tourism industry which relies on an attractive environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Park Ranger (Boulder City, NV)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing more green spaces restored would motivate more volunteers.
- Projects like this bolster hope for better environmental practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Retired Farmer (Reno, NV)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I always support efforts to manage water well.
- Improvements in output are slow, but better than none.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
High School Teacher (North Las Vegas, NV)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These projects set an example for my students in practical ecology.
- It's a matter of educating them right to make future impacts.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Public Health Official (Las Vegas, NV)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Clean water is a public health issue, and this project addresses a critical need.
- We need more initiatives like this to improve quality of life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
Entrepreneur (San Diego, CA)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Technological solutions complement ecological projects like this.
- There's business potential in boosting water conservation through technology.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $21000000 (Low: $19000000, High: $23000000)
Year 2: $22000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $24000000)
Year 3: $23000000 (Low: $21000000, High: $25000000)
Year 5: $25000000 (Low: $23000000, High: $27000000)
Year 10: $30000000 (Low: $27000000, High: $32000000)
Year 100: $40000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $45000000)
Key Considerations
- The project's success depends on effective coordination between the Bureau of Reclamation and local stakeholders.
- Long-term environmental benefits must be weighed against initial costs.
- Risks include environmental changes that could alter project outcomes, such as prolonged droughts.