The Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act, H.R. 1654, was voted on and passed by the House on June 22, 2017. Introduced by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA-04), this bill establishes a new bureaucratic framework and permitting process for construction of new surface water storage projects.
Within this framework, agencies can coordinate their schedules, share data, and make their findings publicly available to foster transparency. H.R. 1654 establishes the Bureau of Reclamation as the agency of jurisdiction regarding surface water storage projects on land owned by the Department of Interior or Agriculture. Before the final vote, the House voted to accept an amendment to H.R. 1654, submitted by Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), containing provisions for the enhancement of federal cooperation in State-led water storage projects. Specifically, the amendment will ensure State-led projects are eligible for permit streamlining under H.R. 1654.