§9708 Interagency Committee on Water Management and Infrastructure

Summary

Creates a group called the Interagency Committee on Water Management and Infrastructure, also called the Water Policy Committee. Its members include the Administrator; the Secretary of the Interior; the EPA Administrator; and the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, and the Army, plus any other agency heads the co-chairs pick. The Secretary of the Interior and the EPA Administrator must co-chair the committee. The co-chairs must call meetings at least six times a year. The committee must help federal agencies that work on water coordinate when their duties overlap. It must align existing task forces and set priorities to manage water and strengthen water infrastructure. Priorities include more water storage and supply and better drought resilience; cleaner water, protected sources, and nutrient control; restoration projects; upgrades to drinking water, desalination, reuse, wastewater, and flood control systems; and better data, research, modeling, and forecasting. It must also improve data sharing, plan federal water investments together, and support training and hiring for people who run water and hydropower facilities. Not later than 1 year after December 27, 2022, the committee must send Congress a list of research needs that includes needs for cross-agency research and coordination.