The House of Representatives has approved $48 million worth of Emergency Watershed Protection funding to help states rebuild after a devastating wildfire season in 2012.
In Colorado, money will go toward fixing watershed infrastructure damaged by the High Park and Waldo Canyon wildfires and mitigate future contamination of local rivers and reservoirs.
In a release Congressman Cory Gardner said:
“Every time there is heavy rain or snow the runoff contains debris from the fires that is polluting our rivers and reservoirs. These very same rivers and reservoirs provide the drinking water supply for northern Colorado and Colorado Springs. The EWP funds will enable these communities to mitigate the effects of debris runoff and protect against this threat to public health and safety.”
Colorado’s congressional delegation has been pushing for the EWP funding for months in both the House and Senate chambers. Now that the measure has been passed by the House, it moves on next to the Senate.