S.1029 - Snow Survey Northeast Expansion Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The Snow Survey Northeast Expansion Act of 2025 (S.1029) aims to broaden the existing snow survey and water supply forecasting program, managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), to include the Northeastern United States. This expansion would specifically cover Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and potentially other states as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
The bill seeks to improve water resource management in the Northeast by providing better data on snowpack and water availability.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on March 13, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Expected Effects
The Act, if passed, would lead to increased monitoring and forecasting of water resources in the Northeastern United States. This will likely result in better informed decisions regarding water management, agriculture, and infrastructure planning.
Farmers, municipalities, and other stakeholders in the Northeast would have access to more accurate data for planning and resource allocation.
The expansion could also lead to improved preparedness for potential water-related challenges, such as droughts or floods.
Potential Benefits
- Improved water resource management in the Northeastern United States.
- Enhanced data for agricultural planning and irrigation management.
- Better preparedness for droughts and floods.
- Support for sustainable water usage and conservation efforts.
- Potential for increased efficiency in water-dependent industries.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential costs associated with expanding the snow survey program.
- Possible bureaucratic hurdles in implementing the expansion.
- Risk of inaccurate data or forecasting, leading to poor decisions.
- Potential for disputes over water rights and resource allocation.
- Limited immediate impact; benefits accrue over time with consistent data collection.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause (Preamble of the Constitution), as it aims to promote the well-being of the Northeastern United States by improving water resource management. Additionally, Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), and water resources can have implications for interstate commerce.
Expansion of the snow survey program falls under the purview of Congress's power to make laws that are necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, as per Article I, Section 8, Clause 18.
There are no apparent conflicts with individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).