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Senator proposes review of small water project program; committee considers expanding review to larger projects
Summary
Senator Hicks proposed assigning the Water Development Office to review the small water project program for efficiency and delivery; members suggested expanding the interim review to include large projects, dams and rehab work because of increased funding and demand.
Senator Larry Hicks asked the Joint Select Water Committee to add a study task directing the Water Development Office to review the small water project program to identify statutory or rule changes that might improve efficiency and deployment of state capital.
"This puts a duty on the Water Development Office to review the small water project program," Senator Hicks told the committee, describing the proposal as a study that could lead to statutory changes if needed. Hicks said the goal is to improve efficiencies, expedite construction and make better use of state capital.
Members noted recent budget changes and new money for water programs that increase demand on program delivery. Senator Guru referenced an "additional 17 million a biennium" and several members suggested the committee has the bandwidth to expand the review into a deeper, cross-cutting assessment of rehab, new construction, dams and reservoirs. The Water Development Office's director welcomed a review and said the small water project topic is especially relevant to the agency.
The committee did not take a formal vote but signaled support for joint work between the committee and the Water Development Office and indicated willingness to broaden scope if staff and members recommend it.
