A House Natural Resources subcommittee today approved legislation to require the federal government to pick up most of the security costs at hundreds of dams in Western states.

The Water and Power Subcommittee approved by unanimous consent HR 1662, which would wrap the Bureau of Reclamation’s security costs into the existing dam safety program, which is largely funded by taxpayers. The bill would authorize “such sums as may be necessary.”

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Bureau of Reclamation has tightened security at its dam facilities. While the bill is largely bipartisan, Chairwoman Grace F. Napolitano, D-Calif., sponsor of the legislation, said the administration does not support it.

A spokesman for the bureau said the way the bill bundles security costs would cause the agency to lose $13 million in the first year. He said “costs are appropriately accounted for” and there’s no need for the legislation.

But panel members disagree.

“We must pass this bill to show the administration we’re very serious about solving this problem,” said Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, the subcommittee’ ranking Republican.