Bill Overview
Title: A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend terminal lakes assistance.
Description: This act extends through October 1, 2025, authority to provide terminal lakes assistance.
Sponsors: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Target Audience
Population: People relying on or benefiting from terminal lakes.
Estimated Size: 4000000
- Terminal lakes assistance typically refers to financial or resource support to manage or restore terminal, or endorheic, lakes that do not drain into any sea or ocean. They often rely on inflows from rivers or direct precipitation.
- Such lakes are crucial for local ecosystems, providing habitats for various species, some of which may be endemic.
- Many communities, including farmers, fishermen, and Indigenous tribes, depend on these lakes for their livelihoods.
- The welfare of people living in regions surrounding terminal lakes is often directly linked to the environmental health of these lakes.
- Water resource management is a critical aspect in areas with terminal lakes, which can be influenced by severe weather, climate change, and human activities.
Reasoning
- The policy targets individuals and communities around terminal lakes such as the Great Salt Lake, Mono Lake, and the Salton Sea, which serve thousands of households and impact local economies. Given this policy aims to assist and manage these water bodies, it might significantly affect stakeholders like farmers, fisheries, Indigenous tribes, and residents relying on these lakes for various resources.
- While the budget appears modest compared to the potentially vast number of individuals involved, targeting and efficiently managing the funds can lead to significant outcomes, especially in critical and most impacted areas.
- Among the ten interviews, we include individuals with high dependence on these lakes and some unaffected by the policy to provide a diverse perspective.
Simulated Interviews
Farmer (Rural Nevada)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I depend on Walker Lake for my irrigation needs, and any assistance to keep the lake healthy is beneficial.
- I'm worried about future droughts, so long-term planning is needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Biologist (Utah)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial as it ensures continued funding, which helps our conservation work.
- The budget seems limited, but it's a start to address significant ecological challenges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Retired (Mono Lake, California)
Age: 61 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've watched Mono Lake's water levels fluctuate, and it's alarming.
- Assistance is necessary to maintain its natural beauty and ecosystems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Tourism Manager (Salt Lake City)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Tourism depends heavily on the lake's health and water levels.
- Any decline in the lake affects my job, so I’m hopeful this policy brings improvement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Programmer (Reno, Nevada)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I care about the environment, but this policy doesn’t impact me directly.
- It’s good if it helps local economies, but my work and life remain the same.
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 | 7 | 7 |
Cultural Advisor (Indigenous Community near Pyramid Lake, Nevada)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our cultural heritage and economy need the lake's ecosystem intact.
- I hope this policy helps tackle ongoing environmental challenges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Engineer (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see environmental management as crucial, including policies for terminal lakes.
- However, this doesn’t directly affect my day-to-day work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Fisher (Rural Utah)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Fish populations have been dropping due to environmental changes.
- Policy support is vital for sustaining my livelihood.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Student (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm studying environmental impacts, so it's interesting academically.
- Doesn't directly change my wellbeing, but informs career perspectives.
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 | 7 | 7 |
Retired Government Worker (Sacramento, California)
Age: 64 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support initiatives that preserve natural habitats, reflecting my government background.
- Although retired, I believe these policies are necessary for future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The initiative will require collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies alongside community groups for effective implementation.
- Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are crucial for ensuring transparency and tracking environmental outcomes.
- Variability in annual rainfall and climate conditions could impact project efficacy.