Over $4 billion in drought relief to be funded under IRA

The Inflation Reduction Act that was passed by the Senate this weekend and expected to soon become law accounts for drought relief to be awarded to the Bureau of Reclamation and tribes.  The bill, which is 755 pages long, is expected to pass the House this week without changes and to be signed by President Biden.

Water World reports that the legislation earmarks significant funding for water-related priorities, including:

• $4 billion to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for drought relief programs;
• $550 million for domestic water programs in disadvantaged communities; and
• $12.5 million for emergency drought funding for Tribes.

The Bureau of Reclamation manages numerous federal water projects, including Lake Mead and Lake Powell, which have experience significant drops in volume due to the ongoing drought.

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