{"id":3759,"date":"2019-12-14T15:19:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-14T20:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merkley.senate.gov\/wyden-and-merkley-tackle-tribal-water-quality\/"},"modified":"2023-07-24T11:07:12","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T15:07:12","slug":"wyden-and-merkley-tackle-tribal-water-quality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.merkley.senate.gov\/es\/wyden-and-merkley-tackle-tribal-water-quality\/","title":{"rendered":"Wyden and Merkley Tackle Tribal Water Quality"},"content":{"rendered":"

On December 12, Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley introduced legislation to improve water quality and services for tribal communities in Oregon.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Native American tribes in Oregon and across the West are suffering from inadequate water infrastructure, with aging drinking water treatment and distribution systems subjecting these communities to serious problems such as failed pressure relief valves, burst pipes and unsafe drinking water. Wyden and Merkley’s Western Tribal Water Infrastructure Act will help move these communities out of the cycle of temporary and emergency fixes to th<\/span>mi<\/span>se problems<\/span>,<\/span> by ensuring stable and reliable federal investments in water infrastructure projects.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

“Access to clean and safe drinking water is a basic human right, and yet, federal resources to help tribal governments in Oregon to fix damaged water systems are woefully lacking,” Wyden said. “The federal government must step up and do more to support these communities working to make permanent fixes and ensure water security needed for their long-term health and quality of life.”<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

“As the crisis on the Warm Springs Reservation illustrated, Native American communities in Oregon are facing serious water infrastructure challenges,” said Merkley. “We need to invest in replacing outdated pipe systems, to help ensure that tribal nations have reliable access to safe drinking water for years to come. This legislation provides a pathway to making those infrastructure upgrades happen, and I’m urging my colleagues to join us in fighting to get it across the finish line and signed into law.” <\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

“This legislation would throw a lifeline to tribes like Warm Springs that are in dire need of water infrastructure improvements to serve their tribal membership,” said Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Chairman Raymond Tsumpti.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

“Climate change is threatening the water supply of many Oregon communities — even on the coast. Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley’s bill would help Oregon tribes access funds to avert those challenges,” said Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians Chairman Dee Pigsley.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

La legislaci\u00f3n se basa en los pasos tomados por el Congreso para abordar la crisis del agua que enfrentan las tribus. M\u00e1s recientemente, en la Ley de Desarrollo y Recursos H\u00eddricos de 2018, el Congreso estableci\u00f3 el Programa de Agua Potable de la Reserva Ind\u00edgena de $20 millones para las tribus ubicadas en la cuenca superior del r\u00edo Missouri y la cuenca superior del R\u00edo Grande.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The Tribal Water Infrastructure Act introduced today will:<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n