A crucial water bill for Lake Havasu City may not have passed this year, but Mayor Mark Nexsen said he’s pleased with the progress the bill has made.

Nexsen said during the latest Colorado River Regional Sewer Coalition meeting this month, progress was made on bringing to House Resolution 3481 closer to reality. Congressman Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., introduced the Colorado River legislation in July. Nexsen said meetings with several water agencies have indicated the bill is currently being modified.

“I think (the proposed changes) would be an enhancement to the bill,” Nexsen said. “They would not in any way hurt what objectives we have, and I think they would answer a lot of critics’ comments about it.”

City lobbyists have been fighting hard for the bill, Nexsen said, adding that there should be a strong push in 2010 for HR 3481 once the water agencies approve it. Nexsen said previously that certain items in the bill propose an initial $20 million in funding clean water projects and “a great deal more” in future projects. He added that he was aware that the bill was in the early stages and would require changing but that it would be “a critical bill for Lake Havasu.”

Nexsen also said a recent jobs bill that passed through the Senate might also provide helpful funding to the city.

“Our lobbyists had been following it to see if it passes the Senate,” Nexsen said. “Now, the last thing we need is another loan, but it has things for principle forgiveness which may be something we additionally look at.”

Bullhead City Mayor Jack Hakim said he wants people to know while he expects the bill will see revisions, it should still be beneficial for Mohave County.

“The bill is still alive, and we’re keeping an eye on it. It’s just a matter of Congressman Grijalva to keep the pace moving,” Hakim said. “Obviously there will be some amendments to it, but we’re looking forward to it remaining strong for us and hopefully at our next meeting in Bullhead City we can announce there has been some good progress on it.”

Hakim said he was pleased that the Fort Mohave tribe is also interested in becoming a part of CRRSCo.

“Chairman Timothy Williams (of the Fort Mohave tribe) was very enthusiastic about what we’ve been able to accomplish with CRRSCo,” Hakim said. “That now completes the tribal nations as being a part of this. … We’re getting a lot of strong backing for this now, and things are really moving along now.”

You can contact the reporter at nbruttell@havasunews.com.