Isakson Praises Senate Committee Approval of Legislation to Develop Recommendations for Comprehensive Water Strategy

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today praised the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee’s approval of legislation to study and develop recommendations for a comprehensive water strategy.

“As Georgia experiences the worst drought in over 100 years, it has become clear to me that the United States would benefit greatly from a national strategy for drinking water,” said Isakson, who is a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “The legislation will give states the tools they need to create water policies that reflect 21st century demand and usage.”

Isakson introduced the Twenty-First Century Water Commission Act of 2008, S.2728, on March 6, 2008. The bill would establish the Twenty-First Century Water Commission, which seeks to develop strategies to increase water supplies and improve the availability, reliability and quality of freshwater resources.

The commission would study current water management programs of federal, interstate, state and local agencies and private-sector entities as well as consult with representatives of such agencies and entities to develop recommendations for a comprehensive national water strategy.

The strategy developed by the commission would be required to identify incentives intended to ensure an adequate and dependable water supply to meet U.S. needs for the next 50 years and suggest strategies that avoid increased mandates on state and local governments, considering all available technologies. The commission would also be required to suggest financing options.

U.S. Representative John Linder, R-Ga., has introduced similar legislation in the House. Linder’s legislation was approved by the House during the last two Congresses but this was the first time it has been considered by the Senate.

“I applaud my colleague, Senator Isakson, for taking up this measure in the Senate and helping to get it passed in today’s Committee markup,” Linder said. “We need to ensure a sufficient and dependable water supply for our nation for years to come. We need to begin to think in creative new ways in order to highlight our nation's future water supply needs. The Twenty First Century Water Commission will give the states the tools to do that.”

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