Bill Overview
Title: Water Data and Security Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires federal departments and agencies involved in water resources management to jointly develop and implement a National Water Data Framework and establish an interagency council, advisory committee, and grant program. This bill also requires the Department of the Interior to develop and implement an integrated water resources management plan (i.e., the Basin Plan) for the Rio Grande Basin and reauthorizes an irrigation infrastructure grant program for Rio Grande Pueblos tribes.
Sponsors: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Target Audience
Population: People depending on water resources management
Estimated Size: 330000000
- Water resources management affects water availability, quality, and distribution, impacting individuals relying on these resources.
- Federal departments working on this will influence policy and operations impacting those using or managing water resources.
- The Rio Grande Basin includes various stakeholders such as farmers, industries, municipalities, and indigenous communities relying on its water.
- The Basin Plan will specifically impact local communities, such as those in the Rio Grande Basin area.
- The bill involves creating a national framework, impacting U.S. citizens relying on or managing water resources.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts the Rio Grande Basin, affecting agriculture, municipalities, and indigenous communities, particularly in New Mexico and Texas.
- A national framework for water data will have broader but less direct impact on those outside the Rio Grande Basin, influencing municipal water supplies and industries that depend on water resources.
- The policy's budget limits imply focused interventions in strategically important or underserved areas, impacting directly involved entities more than peripheral stakeholders.
- The inclusion of an advisory committee suggests that input from a range of stakeholders is desired, indicating varying levels of impact depending on one's involvement or reliance on water management systems.
Simulated Interviews
Farmer (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The water management plan could improve irrigation efficiency, crucial for my crops.
- I'm concerned about how changes might initially affect my water allocation during implementation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Environmental Scientist (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy offers a structured method to address long-standing water management issues.
- More data can significantly enhance resource allocation and environmental protection.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Water Utility Manager (Dallas, Texas)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A national framework could streamline data sharing, improving service reliability.
- The initiative will likely raise operational costs in the short term as systems integrate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Community Activist (Eagle Pass, Texas)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy sounds promising for visibility and attention to serious water issues here.
- Past promises have led to little change, so we're cautiously optimistic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Student (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This framework could provide crucial data for research and advocacy.
- Access to updated and integrated data could drive more effective environmental action.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired Engineer (Austin, Texas)
Age: 64 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm interested in how this policy will affect local water conservation efforts.
- I've seen similar initiatives underdeliver, but I remain hopeful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Lawyer (Las Cruces, New Mexico)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The grant program for tribal irrigation is a meaningful step forward.
- Ensuring effective implementation and respecting water rights is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Industrial Plant Manager (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved national water data could help forecast water availability, which is vital for our operations.
- I'm wary of potential increased regulatory costs as standards become more stringent.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Public Health Official (San Antonio, Texas)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy can help tackle local water quality issues by providing better data for decision-making.
- I'm optimistic but mindful of budget constraints and prioritization of areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Tribal Member and Agricultural Worker (Taos Pueblo, New Mexico)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The reauthorization of the irrigation grant program is very encouraging.
- We need assurance on a fair distribution of resources and proper oversight.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $260000000 (Low: $210000000, High: $310000000)
Year 3: $270000000 (Low: $220000000, High: $320000000)
Year 5: $290000000 (Low: $240000000, High: $340000000)
Year 10: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 100: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Key Considerations
- The initial and maintenance costs of data frameworks and councils will be substantial.
- Long-term cost savings expected from improved efficiency and data-led water management decisions.
- Potential GDP growth linked to enhanced resource management and economic productivity.
- Impact on tribal communities relying on irrigation grants.